Jon England was on his way home to Midvale when one of his professors called to tell him he’d left his wallet in class.
England went back to campus and parked in Presidents’ Circle at a parking meter.
“I put the change in the meter and then I realized, wait a minute, I don’t have my keys!” said England, a sophomore in history. He went back, looked inside his car and saw the keys sitting on the passenger seat.
“I felt really stupid because I had lost my wallet and I locked my keys in my car,” he said.
When England got his wallet back from his professor, she gave him the number for the Campus Security8212;a service many students don’t know exists. A security officer arrived and used a hanger to unlock the car.
“I really had no idea who to call,” England said. “I would have had to call 911 or something, but I couldn’t even do that because my phone was locked inside my car.”
England is one of about 80 people who need help getting into their cars every month, according to records from Campus Security for October 2007.Campus Security,a branch of the U Police Department, is responsible for patrolling campus and locking up buildings. Besides unlocking cars for unfortunate students, Campus Security can help change a flat tire, give students a ride to a nearby gas station if they’re out of gas and walk students to their cars at night, said Sgt. Dennis North, head of operations for Campus Security.
According to statistics from October 2007, security officers escort about 10 students every month to their cars at night.
“We drive around and see if there is anyone who needs help,” North said.
North has been head of operations for the past three years after patrolling the U hospital for 23 years.
These after-hour escorts are available to any student who needs it.
“If someone has recently broken up with their boyfriend and they feel like they need an escort to their car, Campus Security can meet them and walk with them,” North said.
Students can call 585-COPS (2677) for the service.
“I’ve seen (Campus Security) cars around, but I haven’t needed them yet,” said Jessica Haggett, an undeclared freshman.
Security officers unlock and lock all buildings on campus before and after classes. They are more than happy to help students get into the buildings if they left something inside as long as they can describe the item they forgot and have their UCard, North said.
Even with 16 full-time and six part-time security officers, Campus Security has a lot of ground to cover on a campus this big, North said. At least three officers are on duty 24/7.
“You can never be everywhere at once,” he said.
When security officers are not on call helping someone, they patrol campus by car. Campus Security also responds to calls at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion on campus.
Michael Christensen, an undeclared sophomore, was at a dance at the institute during winter when he realized he couldn’t get into his car because his locks were frozen from the cold.
“I called my dad to see if he could help,” Christensen said. His dad advised he call Campus Security for help.
One of Christensen’s friends was able to unfreeze the lock just as security arrived, fewer than 10 minutes after he called.
“I was impressed, I am not going to lie,” Christensen said.
Aside from helping students with car troubles, Campus Security officers are on the front lines in an emergency.
Cpl. Glenn Singer of Campus Security was among those who responded to a medical emergency Wednesday at the David Eccles School of Business, helping direct the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Campus roads can be hard to navigate, so members of Campus Security were able to advise fire officials of the quickest route.
The security officers even help students who have locked themselves out of their student housing on campus. They report helping about 40 students back into their locked rooms every month.
Even with cars and 24/7 patrol, security officers can’t be everywhere and need students to help out sometimes.
“Just like the police department relies on us to be their ears and eyes on campus, we rely on the students to let us know if something is going on,” North said. “Our main function is to help you guys stay safe.”