Peace of mind is the goal of a new initiative to ensure that Douglas College staff and students in Coquitlam get to rapid transit safely after dark.
With the opening of the Evergreen Extension, the college has introduced the Safer Walk program, which allows staff and students to get a security officer to escort them to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station when work or study has them staying late at the David Lam campus on Pinetree Way.
Nancy Constable, director of safety, security and risk management at the college, said the service was used from two to 20 times a day during the winter months and the program will continue through the summer semester into fall.
"We received a lot of positive feedback from students, who appreciate the care and concern," Constable said, adding that staff use the service, too.
With the campus open until 11 p.m., the service was identified as a need, Constable said. And while SkyTrain hasn't added any additional safety concerns, the Safer Walk program is seen as an important component of the college's security program.
The college also partners with Coquitlam RCMP, Coquitlam Centre mall and other agencies on a committee that reviews SkyTrain issues and meets monthly. And she said other than a few homeless people attempting to spend a quiet night at Douglas College and a few tourists looking for the campus Tim Horton's, there hasn't been an uptick in the number of strangers on the college site. (People wishing to spend the night at the college are given a brochure about other housing options while strangers on campus are quickly identified.)
Coquitlam RCMP declined to comment on any potential safety concerns with the SkyTrain's arrival in Coquitlam and Port Moody but a spokesperson said a report would be presented to Coquitlam council in the coming weeks.
Constable said the Evergreen Extension has opened up the college to the Lower Mainland and easier access for potential students can only be a boon as the David Lam campus offers a range of college programs.
As for the Safer Walk program, it seems to be popular and gives staff and students an extra sense of security. They can also use it to get to parking lots on the campus, she said, adding that there are always enough security people on site for the task.
