Pocono News Section

Campus Cops Pack Heat at Bucknell

Campus Cops Pack Heat at Bucknell - Monday, August 25, 2008 at 5:04PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Aug 25, 2008 @ 05:04pm EST
Lewisburg, Union County-

Should campus safety officers have access to firearms? It's a question being debated at colleges and universities around the country.

Hundreds of incoming freshmen are arriving at Bucknell University, being welcomed both on campus and in the Lewisburg community. Some upperclassmen are already here as well.

They're all seeing public safety officers armed with service pistols here for the first time.

Jack Swain, a junior from Orange, California, said, "I'm pretty neutral about the idea. I think that if there was an emergency they could potentially be a good asset to Bucknell Public Safety."

Bucknell has 15 campus officers. Public Safety Chief Jason Friedburg says they've completed months of training above and beyond state requirements before their firearms were issued. He supports the idea of officers carrying guns, but hopes the weapons will never be needed.

Friedburg added, "This is a very safe campus. It always has been. We hope it always will be. The training that they went through prepares us just in case something does happen."

But while the school has come to a consensus on arming campus officers, students here are still struggling to form their views on the idea.

Freshman Patty Meegan, of Pittsburgh, noted, "I just think that it's not really necessary because I think the security officers are more likely to jump to conclusions to use the gun at times when it's not really necessary."

Others say history has indicated a need for stronger safety measures.

Freshman Kara Pine, of Harrisburg, explained, "Honestly I think it's a good idea because there have been incidents like Virginia Tech and Columbine and I feel that if someone here has a gun, Public Safety needs to be armed in order to best protect the students."

Bucknell has also added other safety features including controlled access to dorm rooms, and a mass notification system for emergencies.