Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to reflect on Brandeis'
heightened security measures in light of the increased federal terror
alert. I had this opportunity as I sat in a long line of cars at the main
entrance to campus, waiting for the hired security guard to check
everyone's ID. At the head of the line was an Airborne Express
delivery truck, the driver of which did not know how to find his
destination on campus. Neither, apparently did the security guard,
who could only shrug, and keep the van- and the rest of us- waiting.
So, during my stay at the main gate, I realized a few things about the
increased security measures.
First off, I do understand the motivations of the administration, the
Department of Public Safety, and the Waltham Police, and they are
commendable. They are taking steps to ensure that we are safe, and
I can take no issue with that. While I do not personally feel that
Brandeis is a high-priority target for terrorists, I respect that our
current state of affairs requires increased vigilance, even in the most
unlikely of places. What I do not understand, however, is the method
by which we are being protected.
As closely as I can determine, the increased security measures
consist of Police, Public Safety, and hired security officers checking
the IDs and parking stickers of incoming traffic at the main gate-
during daylight hours. I personally was unaware that terrorists are
opposed to moving under cover of darkness. In fact, it seems to me
that the most likely time that a terrorist or criminal would enter the
campus would be at night- when there are no added security
measures, save the occaisional drive-through by the Waltham
Police. It seems that the only times we are garanteed to be stopped
at the main gate are during peak traffic hours in the morning and
evening. I am not railing against the inconvenience, but rather the
inconsistency- If I were planning to do some harm to Brandeis or it's
residents, night seems to be the best time. Or, apparently, inclement
weather. In the aftermath of the blizzard, when it was been raining,
our only protection at the main gate has been a row of construction
cones making the navigation of an already difficult intersection more
inconvenient. And lastly, if I were a terrorist trying to gain entry to
campus, I could just- and this is really tricky- walk.
In the final analysis, it seems to me that the security measures that
we have been seeing recently, while valiantly motivated, are
probably only effective at assuaging the worries of far-away parents,
and perhaps reducing the school's liability in the event that the
unthinkable occurs. Again, I am not saying we have no need for
safety measures, nor that they are not worth the trade-off in
inconvenience, but merely this: If we are going to consider increased
safety measures in these uncertain times, let's have ones that will
work- Or let's save Brandeis' much-needed money for something
else.