UNMPD will begin restricting its public services starting Nov. 1.
The escort service will only be offered during the hours of 4 p.m. to 7 a.m., and will only provide escorts to locations on main campus. In the past, UNMPD offered escorts for people to locations close to the campus area.
Police Chief Kathy Guimond said most people call for an escort during the evening. She said that police will no longer be dispatched to property crimes that are not in-progress, and victims of property crime are instead required to submit reports at the station.
“In these difficult economic times, we are reallocating our resources in order to fulfill our core mission,” she said.
Jessica Kruichak, chemistry major, said she usually feels safe on campus, but would consider using the escort service.
“I think it’s a good thing. I would utilize it if I had later classes, especially,” she said. “I can walk from class to class. It’s just other places I would be worried about.”
Mathias Sagartz, a Residence Life security guard, said guards also respond to escort calls, but the number of guards who can escort students is limited.
“It really does vary. For the most part, people call UNMPD,” he said. “It’s very rare for people to ask for dorm-to-dorm escorts, but it does happen. I think the most I’ve gotten in a night is two or three.”
Student Janelle Gomez said she is disappointed that UNMPD will restrict its services.
“I would definitely oppose to that being restricted,” she said. “There’s a lot of students that go here who live in this area. I’ m not one of them, but I used to be, so I could definitely relate to those who would feel very unsafe, especially because there’s a lot of criminal action that goes on in this area.”
