In a recent Wespeak (“Psafe lurking,” May 2, 2008, Volume CXLIII, Number 45) John Chisholm ’09 expressed concern over PSafe’s possible use of unmarked vehicles to apprehend students. While this comes shortly after rumors of photographs taken on 4/20 being used against students, Director of Public Safety David Meyer asserts that these actions are within normal procedural parameters.
According to Meyer, the photographs of students on Foss Hill were taken as a precautionary measure. None of the photographs have been used to date, and Meyer says he plans to use the photographs solely as a deterrent.
“We just sort of wanted to keep a lid on things,” he said. “Most kids were compliant.”
Meyer said that PSafe has not acquired new unmarked vehicles, nor changed its pattern of usage.
Meyer said that the so-called “unmarked” vehicles were already owned by the University when he became the Director of Public Safety, and now are used only as replacements for the marked vehicles. When one of PSafe’s vehicles had its tires slashed recently, he said, an unmarked vehicle was simply used as a back up.
“They’re part of our fleet,” he said. “We use them in reserve.”
While photo surveillance and unmarked vehicles may appear overzealous, Meyer said that PSafe holds no particular interest in students’ personal lives, and that these measures are not significantly different from any others used by PSafe.
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