Daylight Saving Time Raising Concerns

Fall has set in and Daylight Savings time is in full effect. PVCC students who take evening and night classes have growing concerns for one particular area: the parking lot. “There needs to be more lighting in the parking lot,” says PVCC student Katie Safely and perhaps more agree.

Many changes have been happening for the Department of Public Safety and Campus police such as gaining  a new police chief and new protocols. Chief Shawn Harrison wants to help everyone, even though the department is short staffed. If one wants to feel safer and would feel safer to be escorted to their cars at night, then the department will be there to help. Harrison suggests calling the office and asking for assistance; someone will walk with you to your vehicle or they will follow you with the campus police car to make sure nothing happens.

With these new protocols, Chief Harrison says, “Part of me is changing the mindset [of PVCC] from security to department of Public Safety.” As the department can do their part to help the students, Chief Harrison has a way for students to help the department: “I’m going to use a cliché that’s out there in the world; if you see something, say something.” Harrison expresses that Piedmont is a community, and as a police chief, she is available to help however students can help as well by reporting incidents or suspicious activity.

As far as spreading more awareness on campus, Chief Harrison has started presentations that help students learn more about different situations; for example, a few weeks ago there was a presentation about domestic violence and there will be more presentations to come. Harrison says, “Those presentations are a part of my protocol, although you all don’t show up . . . that won’t stop me from having them.”

If there are any questions, comments, or concerns for Chief Harrison, the best way to contact her would be through her email (sharrison@pvcc.edu), and though she may be busy around campus Harrison assures she always responds.