Recent pellet gun incidents means more calls to Laurier’s foot patrol
Posted Sep 18, 2015 04:30:47 AM.
Last Updated Sep 18, 2015 06:14:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
You may have seen them in their blue jackets carrying radios, packs filled with medical equipment, and a flashlight – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Foot Patrol Service has been put to the test since reports of possible pellet gun shootings in Waterloo.
The University is asking students to use the service in order to stay safe when heading home.
I had the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a Foot Patrol Volunteer – someone who says they are prepared to walk any student from anywhere to anywhere.
Foot Patrol Coordinator Jasmeen Mangat says she has walked 4km one way for a student and simply enjoyed the company.
There is also their van service which will drive students home if they live more than 2km away. Since the pellet gun shootings though, Mangat says they have set students up with the van service if they live in the trouble area.
The trouble area being King near Hickory and King and Regina – that’s where possible pellet gun shootings have happened this month. One case saw a 19-year-old Wilfrid Laurier student suffer serious injuries when she was struck in the eye by a pellet.
Mangat says they have seen an increase in calls, “We definitely have – especially to that area. To get through that…our van service will take people to that area instead of making them walk.”
I had the opportunity to join an average walk – which took about 20 minutes.
5th Year, Business-Accounting student Justin was one of the first walks of the night, stopping by around 9pm.
“In general, I feel very safe but with the stuff like the BB/Pellet shootings I don’t want to take the risk…although I am a big guy and I don’t feel as threatened, there are always people out there who want to hurt people and it’s good to feel safe.”
On a busy night, they will get around 30 people stop by.
And despite some misconceptions, the service is not usually dealing with intoxicated students but more often with students heading home from a late class or a study session in the library.
If you’re interested in getting a walk home (students) – you can find more information here.
