Where is security when you need them?

Lingering in solitude, emptiness surrounds the dark creepy hallways as students come out of their classes at 10 p.m. while still trying to find their car in a lonesome parking lot.

Walking through Rio Hondo late at night not knowing if you're going to be hurt by a coyote, a snake, or even a malicious person, I have to ask myself; where is security?When I walk around the campus I hardly ever see a security guard, but sure enough, during the day I see security guards driving around the parking lot giving parking citations, but that is all I ever see them do.

When viewing the Rio Hondo website they have information about your role in preventing crime, security and access and emergency telephone numbers for security (562 - 908 - 3490).

It's vital information for the students, but when there is a situation in which you need help are we going to remember all that vital information when we're being mugged or something is being stolen from our car?

What about the guys who go around placing disgusting club flyers on our cars? Why doesn't security do something about them?

Not only are they annoying, but according to Rio Hondo student, Derek Gummig, he has personally seen these guys trying to open car doors while passing out those flyers.

While we're in class, the flyer guys are trying to get into our cars and take whatever they can get a hold of.

Meanwhile, in the annual report for crime at Rio Hondo College for 2007 (most current report available), which is also on the Rio Hondo website, states that in 2005, 2006, and 2007 there has been one forcible sex offence. One is too many. Besides, how many probably go unreported?

The only visible emergency broadcast system for help from security is located in the quad area next to the ATM machine.

If I have to walk to the parking lot alone and someone is going to attack me, will I have to run up to the quad area and press that button for assistance? By the time I try forcing an escape, tired and breathless, I will have to run up rigorous hills and by then the attacker will probably already have hurt me.

At Mt. San Antonio College they have emergency phones in each parking lot area and many areas on campus. The phones are used for a direct line with campus security for emergency use and do not have to dial and do not require coins.

They even have campus escort service Monday-Thursday. They also have a number to call in advance and arrange for an escort. According to the Rio Hondo website, we also have a similar service, yet I, nor anyone else I know, have ever heard or seen of anyone receiving such an escort, nor any phone numbers to arrange to do so. I also, have never seen any campus security number posted anywhere at Rio Hondo.

The students at Mt. Sac are provided with sufficient security on the premises to where students feel protected and safe. Why don't we have that kind of security service at Rio Hondo?

If safety is a key issue, then why not have more visible security on the premises? We have a police academy, but very little security guards.

In this day and age there is so much crime that we need to feel safe at least when we're at school.

Marissa Gonzales is a student at Rio Hondo and says her sister last semester got her car radio stolen in broad daylight at school. She wondered if the security couldn't catch the robbers in broad daylight then how do they try catching robbers at night.

Gonzales says, "Security seems more focused on parking regulations and citation rather then the real issue of personal safety."

Are we really anymore safer during the day than at night? One example from an inside source tells of a motorcyclist who had his motorcycle stolen at gun point.

I know times are tough during this economy, but if there could be more security it would make me say "Wow, this school makes me feel safe" because I can take night classes and not feel alone.

I wish the administration could take a closer look at safety. Dangers come when you least expect them and if more security were available maybe there would not be so much uneasiness when walking alone on the campus.