After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and several others were shot at the congresswoman’s political event Jan. 8, many news reports pointed out that there was no security in attendance that could have protected victims from the shooting.
This has caused many people to call into question whether they are safe at public speaking events.
ASU Police spokesman Cmdr. Jim Hardina said ASU Police is dedicated to making sure students are safe when attending events on campus.
However, he points out that it’s necessary for public speakers holding events on campus to get in contact with ASU Police to ensure the utmost security.
“It’s a big challenge for us when people hold events and don’t notify us ahead of time,” he said. “We need at least a week’s notice to coordinate security at events.”
Hardina said most officers who provide security at events are off-duty officers who are working overtime.
When speakers don’t give advance notice, ASU Police is forced to pull on-duty officers off of their routine patrol to attend the event. This means there are fewer officers patrolling areas where they are needed on campus.
Hardina said although most speakers are required to pay for security at events, ASU Police does make exceptions for student clubs that may not have the funds to pay for security.
“The ASU Police Department is willing to provide free security,” Hardina said. “However, we do have finite resources when it comes to that.”
Hardina said the ASU Police Department is also willing to work with speakers who prefer to bring their own personal security to events.
On a broader scale, Tempe Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Carbajal said although there is a heightened sense of awareness because of the Tucson shooting, security at events in Tempe will go unchanged.
“We cover events on a case by case basis,” he said. “The amount of security is determined by how controversial the event is and who the public speaker is.”
Carbajal said regardless of the event, Tempe Police is doing everything it can to ensure to public safety.
“At the end of the day, we try to provide enough security to make everyone feel safe,” Carabajal said.
Neither Tempe Police nor ASU Police plan on increasing the amount of officers normally on duty, according to Hardina and Carbajal.
Despite the recent shooting, some students on campus aren’t letting themselves live in fear about attending events on campus.
“What happened [in Tucson] was a freak event,” history senior Jonathan Bonsall said. “Whatever happens, happens.”
Reach the reporter at danielle.legler@asu.edu
