It may be getting dark a little later, but students walking around campus after nightfall don't have to walk alone.
The University Escort Services will accompany students, staff and faculty members from any place on campus to anywhere within a one-mile radius of the UNM campus 24 hours a day, said Lt. Michael Omtvedt of the UNM Police Department.
"We are helping people who don't feel comfortable in the dark get to where they need to go," Omtvedt said.
The escort service is composed of two separate escort groups.
The first group is campus security, a 10-person section of the police force that is responsible for everything from jumpstarting cars to opening and locking campus buildings. The uniformed security officers will also escort individuals while making their rounds on campus.
The second escort service is provided by the department's student patrol.
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An all-student division of the force helps with escorting wary people across University grounds as well as working to prevent campus crime.
"They are definitely the eyes and ears of the department," Omtvedt said.
To obtain an escort, individuals call the campus police department. After explaining who they are and their location, the proper officers are sent to that area.
While escort calls have the highest priority, Omtvedt said depending on call volume and other circumstances, students might have to wait for their escorts.
"It could be anywhere from five minutes to a half hour," he said.
Omtvedt said students are encouraged to wait for their escorts in well-lit places and with friends if possible.
"It is mostly just common sense stuff," he said.
On a typical weeknight, Omtvedt said, the department might receive anywhere from 45-55 calls for escorts, and calls increase between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m.
He also said while a fair amount of men call the service, the majority of the callers are female.
The program began about a decade ago and does not receive any additional funding from the University. The program comes out of Chief Kathy Guimond's budget.
"There is no extra money for it," Omtvedt said. "It is that important to her."
Omtvedt said he sees the program's positive approach to protecting the UNM community as effective in preventing crimes on campus.
"I don't see how it wouldn't help with reducing crime," he said.
According to Safety and Security 2003-2004, published by the UNM Police Department, UNM's community of about 24,000 students and 13,000 faculty and staff, "has maintained an extremely low crime rate," even with such a "large and constantly changing population."
Still, Omtvedt said students should use the service if they have any "inkling" of fear.
"If you are leery about walking outside, the service is right at your fingertips," he said.
The campus escort service can be reached at 277-2241.
