Nana AndohAfter the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) hired new security guards in November, The Gateway decided to see if students at the University of Alberta felt any different about their safety while on public transit.
Nicole Gonzales — Nursing III
“It really depends on the type of day. In the morning and afternoon it is not so bad. Once the evening comes, I feel unsafe. Especially if I do not have someone with me. That becomes a big factor for me.”
Ruth Bereket and Simon Kahson — Psychology I
Bereket: “Depends on the time. At night I do not feel as safe as I would during the daytime.”
Kahson: “At night time I feel not as safe. Other than that, I feel safe on transit.”
Guian Avila — Engineering III
“I feel more aware of my safety now while on transit. I feel like something might happen while I use it. They have hired those security guards and you see them, but they are a third party and not police. Seeing them reminds me that things can happen, really, at any moment.”
Robert Bilak — Arts III
“I feel less safe in the evening. At night when I am going home is when I am approached the most by people. While the people stopping me — usually religious ones trying to convert me or somebody else — do not actually pose a threat at all, they do make me uneasy.”
