By David Bolles
CCC Journalism Program
CHERRY HILL – Students who have night classes at the Camden County College Cherry Hill campus feel unsafe walking to their vehicles after hours.
The Cherry Hill campus is one of three Camden County College campuses. It is located at the corner of Route 70 east and Springdale Road in Cherry Hill. The campus consists of two parking lots on opposite sides of the main building.
“It’s the walk out to my car at night that scares me the most,” said Michael DiBella, a Camden County freshman who takes night classes at the Cherry Hill location. Similar accounts are coming from other students claiming the parking lot is not lit well enough and not enough emergency call buttons are located in the parking lot.
At the campus, emergency call buttons are located at the front and back of both parking lots; however, no emergency call buttons are located inside the parking lot. “I don’t always get to park so close to the buttons,” commented DiBella.
Campus security was unable to comment about its specific procedures on campus; however, it was stated campus security is there until 1 a.m., long after the students leave the building. Security said the camera system in place on campus covers the campus fully.
Some students, such as sophomore Kyle Marett, don’t even stop to think about the dangers of walking to their car late at night after classes. “I go to class. I walk back to my car. After that, I drive home. I don’t really think about something happening in the parking lot,” commented Marett.
The Cherry Hill campus is the smallest of the three campuses and the only one that does not have the security phone line open 24 hours a day, all year round. Those on campus are encouraged to report criminal activity and other unusual behavior to campus security immediately. Campus security works closely with the local emergency services and its staff is required to have a minimum of 40 hours field training to guarantee the safety of the students and staff.
A call button stands outside the main building on the Camden County College Cherry Hill campus. By David Bolles, CCC Journalism Program