With recent dorm break-ins and other safety issues creating worry for PBA students, the administration has been taking steps to fortify campus security. One of these steps has been the hiring of Blackwater Worldwide to patrol campus. Blackwater is a private security contractor, founded in 1997, which provides protection for pay. Some of its forces are currently stationed in Iraq providing security services alongside American troops.
The group has met controversy in the past few years for its aggressive actions, including the killing of Iraqi civilians, but this has provided an encouragement to PBA administrators.
"Students need to feel safe on campus," said Safety & Security director Terry Tirer. "Blackwater's policy of 'shoot first, shoot more later' will no doubt help curb the amount of crime at PBA."
The security contractor would also come in handy during visits by activist groups. The healthy supply of arms plans to be an effective barrier to protestors attempting to enter the chapel.
Some students, however, are wary of the idea and may feel intimidated by Blackwater's presence on campus.
"I was told West Palm Beach was a safe area," said freshman Evelyn Mosslepot-Williams-Calusa. "I was also told the art program had state-of-the-art buildings."
20 comments:
First? Welcome Back, Bacon!
An excellent article, Bacon! The myth of redemptive violence lives on among the 'followers' of the prince of peace!
Classic Bacon. My question is why they (PBA) have to bother looking into getting guns at all. Tasers would make a cheaper alternative that would make much more sense than guns. Don't get me wrong, I love guns, I love the second amendment, but in this situation I think that tasers would be much safer for all involved.
Haha. Well said Bacon, and poignant as well.
re: naty
"Don't tase me bro!"
Or they could just hire security guards hat look a little more imposing.
too true, ivanna...some of our security guards don't appear very imposing at all, poor guys.
naty, current tasers cost $1000 Older models are available for less money but are harder to come by and find replacement cartridges to fit them. Do you really think that PBA would buy outdated or second hand equipment? A new 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P goes for about $400. The training and licensing required for security to carry an electric weapon is the same. Tasers have a maximum effective range of 35 feet and are more likely to be abused because they are less than lethal. We had two armed robberies on campus last spring. Do we wait until someone is killed before we give S&S the tools they need to effectively protect us? Besides, at the rate the administration is dragging their feet, we will all have graduated long before S&S carries anything more effective than pepper spray.
not that they ever had the chutzpah to even use the pepper spray....
Evelyn Mosslepot-Williams-Calusa... hehehehehe.
Well done.
To RTKBA,
If you think PBA is opposed to buying old or outdated equipment, you should take a walk by the Biology Dept.
...Or Dr. Clark's office...
And as for the question of tasers being abused more - I'd rather 100 taser abuses to one pistol abuse - or even correct use of one.
As for the SS and effectively protecting us... my God man, take off your panties - death happens.
Later,
KW
KW,
What you are proposing is disgusting. You would rather see 100 instances of "Don't tase me bro!" than a carjacker or a serial rapist being shot.
Emotional response to any issue, especially this one, is understandable but decisions need to be based on facts. Get facts that are based on research and are backed by reputable sources, don't let your emotions run your life.
Dude, anonymous...what did KW's feelings have to do with it? An opinion is an opinion. Quite honestly, I don't trust Safety and Security to get a cat out of a tree...much less carry fire arms around campus. In the past they have failed to correctly use pepper spray to stop thieves...what makes you think guns are going to improve their skills?
To the dear anonymous 2 up,
First off, try taking a class in reading comprehension before you start criticizing. What I said was that I'd rather see 100 instances of misuse of Tasers - As in some triggerhappy SS officer shocks an innocent and makes them wish they were dead - than one instance of a triggerhappy SS officer blowing some innocent kids brains out... hence the misuse - and I would also rather a hundred real criminals get taz'ed than shot. So make sure you understand your opponents argument - better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt, as you surely did.
And I don't let my emotions rule my life, my opinion is based on much thought, and I have decided the whole arms race mentality is stupid - Try telling Jesus, who had all the power he needed to save His and His follower's lives that He shouldn't let emotions rule his life.
try not to take your own opinion too seriously in the future
Later,
KW
I agree kw.....tasersX100>gunsX1
lets keep guns off the streets of pbau.
Didn't someone brag about his gun while speaking in chapel?
I don't know - I never aid I'm opposed to the concept of guns at all - I don't think its wrong to own them... but an armed PBA is where I take issue
*said
" I'd rather 100 taser abuses to one pistol abuse - or even correct use of one. " QFT
seems pretty clear to me. KW said he/she would rather see 100 students (abuses) get zapped than one criminal get shot(correct use). How can anyone claim they didn't say something when it is just a few posts up. HAHAHAHA I love the bacon! You people are so silly.
I think that KW doesn't think that someone's, anyone's life is equal to that of a car that is getting stolen or even someone's virginity. Also, I like how the correct use of a gun is automatically equated to using it to kill someone. He could be for owning guns to use for target shooting or hunting. Surprise surprise, other uses for guns! "HAHAHAHA I love the bacon! You people are so silly."
Also, good points rtkba. Sorry it took me so long to respond. But, as others have said, I think it would be best for SS to not wield something that can kill someone over something that just makes them feel like crap for 15 seconds.
PS. I'm starting to run out of naty light commercials.
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