Discussion on Whether Campus Security Guards Should Carry Taser to Prevent Crimes

A social issue may be a problem, illness, or even a social conflict that is capable of influencing and is opposed by a significant number of individuals in the society. Often, it is a result of factors that extend beyond an individual’s control and local geographical environment. Campus crime is a social issue with capacity not only to influence the particular institutions of learning but the whole society at large. The law recognizes the existence of many crimes in campuses and seeks to regulate through the campus crime act. According to the Michigan State University Police and many other campus police offices “It is recommended that all the crimes committed in and around the school campus to be reported to the necessary authorities”. Campus security guards have been hired for the purpose of the safety in campus. Most campuses usually have a good number of security guards that will be constantly patrolling around the campus to protect and to avoid any campus crimes. The problem is what can they do when they see someone offending crimes with arm? Mark Bond, professor of criminal justice at American Military University stated that “The recommendation from the task force is to hire and train armed security officers to patrol and protect school campuses”. So I think campus security guards should carry Tasers with them when patrolling.

Sexual harassment and assault is another main crime in campus. According to Mark Bond, professor of criminal justice at American Military University stated that “The larger percentage of rapes and other sexual assaults are those that go unmentioned. Some of them are hate actions. Biases about religion, gender, tribe, race among others makes students get involved in such risky behavior.”(Mark) This becomes risky for these students when they are in places where they are alone or walking along lonely paths and dark places. Security guards may happen to be around by accident, and if they do run into these crimes, it is best that they have weapon that is powerful enough to stop the crime immediately. When security guards are armed with Tasers, they will be able to stop crimes immediately and protect the victim from getting further offenses. Security guards may have a higher chance of running into crimes and needs to save the victim, so it is necessary to provide the security guards with Tasers.

Crimes are usually very rampant in schools of higher learning. They are inclusive but not limited to the ones that I will discuss. Aggravated assault is an attack by one person unlawfully on another for injuring them. Arson, which is more common during strikes and riots, is the malicious burning or any attempt to burn property. Students may be playing or using fire to offend a crime in campus. Possession of illegal weapons is also very common among campus students. Hate crimes, which are practiced in opposition of other members of the institution, is also another example of campus crime. Campus police may not be around all the time, and security guards are the ones who may run into this kind of crimes. But what can a security guards do when he has no weapon with him? The criminal will definitely try to stop the security guards from informing the police. So when this situation comes up, it is always good to make sure that the security guards has a Taser with him, so he will be able to stun the criminal from range. Which will effectively stop the criminal from hurting people or damaging any property.

Campus security guards should be armed with Tasers in order to better protect the students and teachers on campus and also to protect the school property. According to recent statistics from Sierra Lyda researcher of College Crime University of North Carolina, “campus crime is on the rise”. Police are the official power for the society’s safety, but their work load is not allowing them to put their focus in every corner of the campus, this is also why security guards are hired for. The security guards with Tasers will better serve the campus safety and make the campuses a better place in the society.