Volume 2, No. 39 October 11, 2002
Is Savannah safe? By Gene Friedman Is Savannah safe? This is a question frequently asked by students, parents, prospective students and their parents, and by members of the Savannah College of Art and Design community. I usually respond with a question in return: "Where are you from?" Sometimes the answer is very interesting. Recently a student who asked about safety in Savannah answered my question by naming a particular city that is universally regarded as one of the most dangerous in the world. In comparison to her hometown then, Savannah could be considered a relatively safe haven for her. On the other hand, for those who come from small communities, Savannah represents an entirely new experience. Thus, the answer to the above question is a relative one. Savannah is simply a typical major urban area in 21st century America, with the same safety issues as any other modern city. However, Savannah is no wild frontier town soon to be seen in the next Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. Savannah is a world-class city that certainly has more to offer than most cities, even those that are much larger in size. These attractions are, in fact, what draws millions of visitors from around the world to Savannah and why most of us chose to come to SCAD. Thus, it would be a shame to feel like a prisoner in your own home and not enjoy the beauty and unique features of this city. There are many simple and effective ways to increase your personal safety so that you can take advantage of what Savannah has to offer. This column is one resource that presents weekly ideas and suggestions for living safely in Savannah. Previous columns have presented ways to protect yourself and your possessions, safely walk through the city, and tips on bicycle safety and driving. Several brochures and fliers are available that give more in depth information on each of these topics. Safety in Savannah presentations are also frequently given where information is shared and questions answered. These forums are particularly interesting because several experts from local agencies present their specialized information. SCAD also has a very successful Bee Safe initiative that sponsors different events and programs. Involvement from students, faculty and staff is always welcome and is absolutely vital for the success of these programs. Safety is a participatory process and cannot be achieved without the contributions of the entire SCAD family. The campus safety department provides another layer of safety to the SCAD community by employing more than 130 security guards. These guards staff every residence hall around the clock. They are also assigned to each academic building during their operational hours. Additional security is ensured by off-duty Savannah Police officers who supplement SCAD’s guard force. Three SPD officers are employed to patrol the college seven days a week in their marked patrol cars. Many at SCAD may not be aware of this and assume that some of the officers they commonly see are regular beat officers, thus not realizing the extra protection that we are providing. The campus safety department is always available to provide assistance, answer questions, and address any safety concerns. Friedman is the director of campus safety.
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