feature 24
the
gateway
www.thegatewayonline.ca
October 3, 2012
Alana Willerton photos by Tianbo Liu
written by
On Patrol with
W
hen darkness falls on the U of A campus, Safewalk is the school’s eyes and ears — and when you need it, they’re your walk home too. Dressed in their signature bright yellow and black jackets with walkie-talkies to their lips, volunteers from the free accompaniment service offer friendly company and peace of mind for anyone travelling the university campus and surrounding community at night.
Pairs of Safewalk volunteers patrol on and either side of her down the steps to the LRT around campus almost every night of the platform. The conversation between the three week, walking home clients who may have a flows easily as they discuss their upcoming late night class, worry about traveling alone midterms, before dropping Commandeur off in the dark or just want some company. Their at her door. On the LRT back to the university, two purpose, Safewalk Director Evan Worman and Associate Director Christine Patterson peace officers board to check transit passes. explain, is to provide a sense of security Walking past Worman and Patterson, they don’t bother to ask for their pass, instead through safety in numbers. “Everything we do is pointed towards the greeting them with a smile and a pat on the same thing, and that is community safety,” shoulder. It’s a reaction that isn’t out of the explains Worman. “Not just for students, but ordinary for Safewalkers, who have built a for all members of our community — by trying strong relationship with local law enforcement since the proto enhance this gram’s beginnings area and make it “I personally feel comfortable on in the early ‘90s. a much safer place While Patterson for everyone. I feel campus. I’d like other people to have says they do get that were we not that same sense of security.” checked for their to have Safewalk, passes it would be a det~Christine Patterson transit o c c a s i on a l l y, riment to the feelAssociate Director, Safewalk most of the offiings of safety on cers already know campus.” “I personally feel comfortable on campus,” what they’re up to. “People see the walkie-talkies and the jackPatterson adds. “I’d like other people to have ets and they don’t mess with us,” she laughs. that same sense of security.” Emerging from the LRT station at the uniEvery Safewalk volunteer is required to complete at least one shift per week, and versity, Worman gets in contact with the Worman and Patterson are no exception. By dispatcher back at the Safewalk office using the time they step out for the start of their their team colour for the night. “Purple to dispatch, over.” own 8–11 p.m. Thursday shift, the sky is “This is dispatch, over.” already dark and the sidewalks are lit only “10-1, we’re back at the university. Over.” by streetlamps. The two longtime volunteers “10-4, have a good walk. Over.” have their first client right off the bat: Danielle After checking in, the pair have some time Commandeur, who stops by the Safewalk office after her Linguistics night class. She to burn before meeting their next scheduled asks to be accompanied as she rides the LRT pick up at 9:30 p.m., so they patrol HUB, one home, admitting with a laugh that “it can be a of the more high-traffic areas of campus even at night. They find the combined shopping bit creepy down there.” A former volunteer with Safewalk at the mall and student residence quiet this time, University of Calgary, Commandeur knows with only a handful of remaining students the drill as Worman and Patterson walk leaving their night classes.