Vandalism prompts RHA request for more security cameras
A resolution was passed to request the cameras on suite-style floors.
Published Nov. 17, 2009
Vandalism and destruction of property incidents have influenced the Residence Halls Association to pass a resolution requesting security cameras be put on suite-style floors in residence halls.
Debate sparked in the process of passing this resolution and had strong opinions on both sides.
There have been specific instances in which cameras would have helped find vandals.
"The thing I'm worried about is someone came in and urinated in a study hall when they were drunk and tore a bunch of posters down," representative Roman Shmulevich said.
Residential Life policy indicates all students will share the cost of damages incurred if the vandals are not found.
"When you get put in that situation, where you have to pay for something and it's not your fault, you would want those video cameras there to help catch the people who did it, when it's not your fault," representative Roger Cheng said.
RHA spokeswoman Emily Patterson said she had to pay for vandalism caused by only a few students.
"When Hatch got egged a couple of weeks ago, I had to pay for it because I lived on that floor," Patterson said.
Representatives who opposed the resolution cited privacy issues.
"I'm opposed to this because I feel like Big Brother would be watching us," representative Joseph Bowles said. "How much privacy do we have on campus anyway? There's always cameras watching us. I'd like to have privacy in our own dorms."
Representative Jacob Novak doubted Residential Life would put security cameras directly in the hallway outside of student rooms.
"I'm only in favor of this if it addresses stairwells," Novak said.
MUPD Capt. Scott Richardson said video footage has helped investigations in the past.
"There are numerous ways we use video footage for arrest," Richardson said. "We don't sit there and monitor footage. But after a crime has occurred, we are able to go back to footage and look at it. So, it has helped on numerous occasions."
Certain areas of residence halls are designated as public and privacy shouldn't be an issue in public spaces, Richardson said.
Although privacy concerns exist, other representatives said security cameras could catch people who have been physically harmed.
"My freshman year, five fire extinguishers were discharged," Novak said.
One of the extinguishers was discharged in Novak's friend's room.
"They woke up inhaling a dry chemical. I don't know what that feels like, but inhaling fiberglass particles, burning of the esophagus, is not pleasant," Novak said. "With cameras, that person would have been caught."
Issues affecting residence halls are different based on their location.
"We are the farthest north, the closest to downtown," representative Allison Repking said of McDavid residence hall. "We've had multiple instances of people from downtown coming and breaking things and then leaving."
Repking said cameras would also prevent unwelcome visitors.
"We've actually had a homeless man sleeping inside of our lounge," Repking said.
RHA President Rachael Feuerborn said a logical analysis of the problem is needed.
"The important thing to measure would be the benefit of having the cameras if something were to happen, versus how much harm would the camera cause by being there," Feuerborn said. "Hypothetically, if the camera was there and it wasn't used, nothing is lost."