Dear Editor:

I am dismayed that your editorial titled Dormitory Dismay continues to point the finger for the breach of security in the residence halls at “Loyola,” (e.g., “whenever Loyola doesn’t fully protect the entrance to its dorms” and “those people living in the dorms are entrusting their safety to Loyola”). Loyola University utilizes a number of resources to protect our community, including the residence halls: card access, cameras, desk assistants, University Police patrols, blue light 911 telephones, alarms and BOLOs, just to name some. While the article hit on some truths that are currently being addressed by Loyola, it also left out a glaring omission, which is everyone, students included, must accept responsibility for those breaches of security. The unfortunate reality is that residents are letting non-residents into the buildings either as a kind act, naive behavior or willfully. And that is a major problem.

The residence halls are not made to be models of Fort Knox. The card access and camera systems are working. We have a database that shows whose card was used to gain access and we have vivid pictures of who is letting who in. All the residence halls house adults. We educate constantly in crime prevention. Should the solution be employing eviction notices for failure to keep your homes safe? Should there be a lock down of all the residence halls 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Desk assistants are students, and we are re-educating them regarding their responsibility to check IDs. Every student should be reminded of the security policy of their residence hall and their accountability within that policy.

Students should think of their Express Card as a key. No key, no entry. If you let in an unauthorized person, it could be your room that is burglarized next. Rather than automatically letting people in who say they forgot their Express Card, they should be directed to the on-duty Desk Assistant. When they are off duty, you should direct them to the “R.A. On Duty” sign that lists their extension number and to the exterior phone located in the front of each residence hall. Students should know that we are stepping up security due to theses breaches, and beginning with the fall semester, Residential Life will employ a night watch for all residence halls. But please help us help keep you safe. We are all in this together.

Pat Bailey, DirectorLoyola University Police Department