Last week one of our reporters wrote about the Safety Escort Patrol Services, SEPS, that provides rides and escorts for students on campus.
After reading the article we noticed how some students have been taking advantage of the service for a free ride.
We think it is shameful in addition to being a waste of time for the university employees who work for SEPS.
From Sunday to Thursday between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. the university pays five to six people to act as safety escorts for students.
When a SEPS staff member shows up to escort a student they usually arrive in one of the program's three battery-powered carts.
Some students have become angry if an escort arrives without the cart and therefore the bonus of a free ride.
Most of the complaints filed about the program are from students who were disappointed that the safety escort arrived without the cart, according to SEPS.
If your number one reason for calling is safety related, you shouldn't be worried about your escort not doubling as your chauffeur.
Perhaps the worst incident we read about, though, was the woman who called SEPS to recruit their help in finding her dog.
We aren't saying your dog getting loose isn't a stressful situation but it also isn't what the safety program was designed to do.
The program was also not designed to provide free rides to students who are feeling lazy.
It was created to protect students from the crimes that happen on college campuses each year.
The SEPS is not the UCF shuttle program or a free taxi so please do not treat it, or the program's employees, as if that is the case.
Abusing a useful program is a fast way to prompt the UCF Police Department to cut funding or start charging students for what is now a free service.
Instead, be thankful that your university has taken the time to install a program to protect you and your fellow students.
You can reach SEPS at (407)823-2424. If it is after 1 a.m. or the weekend you can contact the UCF PD at (407)823-5555 and an officer will be sent to act as an escort if one is available.
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3 comments
2: I doubt they are racially profiling considering they never ask for race when you call.
3. While I like the program, I wish they ran on the weekends. I really onlt go out late on the weekends, and sometimes it can be really scary walking alone.