- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XIX - November 3, 2005 -
Kellom rejects proposed stun guns
The Record
Many St. John's senators were alarmed to hear Life Safety included tasers, or stun guns, in their 2005 budget request.
The Senate responded to the request by drafting a resolution against the purchase of tasers, questioning why money is going to campus security's arsenal when the Life Safety-funded EMT squad is short of supplies.
"Life Safety Services, in its budget request, has neglected the needs of the St. John's EMT Squad, and has requested the purchase of advanced non-lethal weaponry," the SJS resolution said.
Shawn Vierzba, director of security at SJU, resents the insinuation that Life Safety is neglecting the needs of the EMT squad for the sake of arming their campus security officers.
"As far as I know, there has not been a request this year to the senate by the EMT squad," Vierzba said. "We support the EMT squad, but those are two different issues, and I don't want those issues put together."
Vierzba said he's concerned that the SJS released their resolution without ever having consulted him about the issue.
Earlier this week, however, Vierzba said that the issue "is none of the senate's business."
"If [the issue] impacts the student body, it's the senate's business," said SJS regent Cody Fischer in response to Vierzba's comment.
Most of the senate's protest, however, stems from principle rather than budgeting practicality.
"[Tasers are] completely inappropriate when you bring it into the context of the strong community environment we have here," Fischer said.
Vierzba defends the taser proposal.
"I think there is a misconception of how these things are going to be used … it's another tool for the officers to get a situation under control," Vierzba said.
The senate and many students agree that the safety of campus security officers is imperative but believe the connotation a taser implies is inappropriate.
"I do understand the need to ensure Life Safety officers' safety...but as far as most non-lethal weaponry, I'm categorically against it," Fischer said.
In response to student outcry, SJS administrative mentor Gar Kellom agreed to put an indefinite hold on the funding for the tasers, and put that money, about $5,600, toward the EMT budget.
He said, however, the student-body must agree to form a committee that would work at bettering student etiquette toward campus security officers. A handful of students promptly volunteered.