To help generate safety awareness, Off-Campus Student Association members passed out 2,000 orange whistles and small fliers last week.
OCSA members and officers decided to hold an event tonight in 108 Engineering North at 6:30 p.m. in response to several reported rape cases.
Although some have said the whistles are primarily symbolic Stephanie Smith, representative and OCSA civic affairs vice chair said the whistles should remind people to be careful.
“The whistles are not to promote a false sense of security,” Smith said. “Yes, the whistles are for safety, but it’s more about connecting the whistle with the rest of the information that we provide.”
Although people might assume this presentation would be tailored toward women, Smith said men can be assaulted as well.
“Maybe you won’t be attacked for a sex thing, but maybe they want to mug you or they want to steal your car,” Smith said. “This is more to help create a constant sense of awareness for all people, not just women.”
Ed Boese, a Stillwater police officer, said he would like to raise awareness for more than just crime prevention and rape awareness and give people a better sense of what they can do to take care of themselves at any time.
“We’re going to talk about using body language and other things to eliminate yourself as a target or a victim of rape,” Boese said.
“We’ll talk about things that people have done in the past to save themselves.”
Boese said he will bring a PowerPoint presentation to help provide information for the material he will discuss.
Officer Sean Gibson from the OSU Police Department will also be on hand to discuss safety and crime prevention on campus. Gibson said he will discuss bringing attention to the blue emergency lights and ways to increase awareness.
Smith said that she wants to make sure people know that this is not just for off campus students, but for everyone: students, faculty, staff and those not associated with the university.
It is the hope of the OCSA and the local police departments to help better prepare men and women to take care of themselves. Although crime is not as rampant in Stillwater as in other communities, the recent rash of attacks has caused OCSA to take action.
Meagan Wingfield, a psychology junior, said she is excited about the event.
“It’s really great to know that people are aware of the dangers that exist,” Wingfield said. “I’ll definitely be at the meeting to learn whatever I can.”
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