A resolution calling for heightened security in the Blue Zone was rejected at Duke Student Government's meeting last night, with plans for another proposal addressing more broadly security in all parking lots.
The proposal recommended a revamping of lighting fixtures with white flood lights, the installment of additional lighting fixtures, increased blue lights and the trimming of overgrown shrubbery around the parking lots.
The proposal was defeated after Duke University Police Department Chief Clarence Birkhead addressed legislators' concerns. Although Birkhead agreed with the need for greater safety measures in parking lots, he cautioned against focusing on the Blue Zone, which he considers one of the safest lots on campus.
"I think our first priority should be any other parking lot besides the Blue Zone--especially some of our more remote ones," Birkhead said. In the past 18 months, there have only been 10 reported incidents in the Blue Zone, including an alleged assault Oct. 23, he said.
Birkhead recommended that the proposal focus more on lots on Central and East Campuses.
DSG legislators opposed to the resolution said they felt it was a knee-jerk proposal, coming only weeks after the first reported incident of assault in the Blue Zone since the lots opened as the main undergraduate parking area in August 2000. The opponents also said any resolution DSG passes should be a campus-wide initiative and should follow the recommendation of police and parking officials like Birkhead.
"Let's make sure we are putting these measures in the right place," said Jason Freedman, legislature individual projects coordinator. "I'm not sure why we would not go with the professionals on this."
Senior Alex Niejelow, co-author of the legislation, along with Vice President for Facilities and Athletics Matt Slovik, said the purpose of the proposal was to tackle the biggest lot first and draw attention to the need for heightened security in all campus lots. Following the meeting, Niejelow said that a campus-wide recommendation would be more appropriate, and he expects to reintroduce legislation.
"I think the body perhaps had some good insight," he said. "Chief Birkhead and [Director of Parking and Transportation Services] Cathy Reeves are extremely supportive of increasing safety in campus lots. By no means is this going away."
IN OTHER BUSINESS: DSG Vice President for Student Affairs Joshua Jean-Baptiste announced a six-week trial period beginning next semester of a program in which the University will subsidize two buses for transportation to off-campus parties and special events off-campus.
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