On Wednesday, nearly four weeks after a collision on campus injured four pedestrian students, the LSU Police Department, in conjunction with the Stay Safe LSU committee and local public safety organizations, hosted Public Safety Day.
The collision was one of two involving pedestrians within the first week of school, according to a report in The Daily Reveille.
“Campus safety is a shared responsibly,” said LSUPD Lieutenant Reginald Berry. “The safety of all members of the LSU community is of the utmost importance to us, and it’s important for the campus community to be aware of the resources available and how to utilize them.”
The annual public safety event was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tower Drive. East Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services, the Baton Rouge Fire Department, East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office, Capital Region Planning Commission, Lexlee’s Kids, CN Transportation Services, Office of the Dean of Students, Auxiliary Services, Residential Life, Student Health Center and Student Government also attended the event.
“Student Government is very excited to be involved,” said SG executive press secretary CJ Carver. “This is just one way that Student Government is actively reaching out to students to raise awareness and educate them during September, which is Safety Month.”
SG provided free pizza, Kona Ice and a live DJ for those attending the event, said University media relations director Ernie Ballard in an email.
Kenyatta Robertson, the capital region safety transportation coordinator for the Transportation Safety Coalition, headed the Capital Region Planning Commission’s booth, promoting the organization’s mission, Destination Zero Deaths.
“We’re out here educating and bringing awareness to all of the kids that are here on campus, letting them know the importance of not drinking and driving,” Robertson said. “LSU, as with any other college or university, they have their ups and they have their downs in the many areas that affect transportation safety.”
To demonstrate her message about impaired driving, Robertson allowed students to try on goggles that simulate the influence from alcohol, marijuana and LSD. With the goggles on, students drove a golf cart in a marked area, supervised by Robertson, to demonstrate the effect of these substances on driving ability.
Robertson also warned against distracted driving, particularly students using their cellphones while driving and walking on the University’s bike and pedestrian-heavy campus.
“Be aware of your surroundings,” Robertson said. “Make sure you put your phones down. Do not be distracted. Pay attention to other vehicles that may not be watching out for you and just look out for each other.”
Brad Harris, unit commander and public information officer for East Baton Rouge EMS, said he came to Public Safety Day to talk to students about becoming a paramedic, job opportunities as an EMT and the use of Narcan in opioid overdoses.
“We’ve been pushing for the use of Narcan,” Harris said. “We’re finding cases where we’re going on these overdose calls and people are actually self-administering Narcan. We’re trying to teach people about that.”
Harris said several students already have their EMT certification and are interested in finding a job. He also gave students a tour of his ambulance and other medical equipment.
Residential Life assistant director for conduct advocacy and policy Kara Helgeson said Residential Life attended the event to educate students about the security levels in the residential communities. Helgeson said she also stressed the importance of the LSU Shield app.
“Due to the fact that we have a lot of students that live on campus, we want to make sure that our on campus residents are aware of what resources are available to them, and that the community knows Residential Life cares about safety,” Helgeson said.
Jonathan Sanders, associate dean and director of student advocacy and accountability, said he discussed with students his office’s online reporting system, LSU Cares. The Office of Advocacy and Accountability primarily handles behavioral and academic misconduct, but it also assists students in crisis or distress.
“It’s very important that we’re here because the safety message is important,” Sanders said. “Safety is our utmost concern, especially for student advocacy and accountability.”
LSU Public Safety Day was postponed from its original date due to the potential threat of Tropical Storm Gordon.
