Homelessness is a major concern to those who live and work in downtown Salt Lake City, and that concern may be reaching the South City Campus.
The campus, located at 1575 South State Street, has become a hotspot for multiple panhandlers when the sun goes down.
“The safety of South City Campus students needs to become more of a priority,” says Connor Trautman, who takes night classes at South due to his work schedule. “The homeless people might not be such an issue during the day, but at night, it’s a bit sketchy walking by the school on State Street. I’ve been harassed more than a few times.”
A problem with homelessness
A recent poll published last week in the Salt Lake Tribune reported that 64 percent found homelessness downtown to be a major problem, 30 percent labeled it a minor problem and only 4 percent said it was no problem at all.
While panhandling may not be as widespread at Salt Lake Community College campuses, students have a right to feel safe on school grounds at all times.
Feeling nervous at night
SLCC sophomore Ali Farrow has mixed feelings about the issue.
“I feel like during the day is not really that bad at all, I feel perfectly safe. But I have a class that on Wednesdays, gets out after the sun goes down, and I really don’t like walking to my car by myself.
“I feel like there needs to be more of an effort to keep the panhandlers off the school’s property. If they’re across the street I feel a lot safer than when they are right in front of the doors on State Street.”
What students can do
Students may request a parking lot escort to help them get to their cars safely.
Concerns about safety on campus can be directed to Utah Highway Patrol. Their South City Campus office is across from the counselor’s office and in front of the snack bar in room 1-061A.
Additional photos by Sarah Jordan
The students should leave them alone. If they are homeless they have no where else to be, at least they aren’t coming inside the school and “bothering” them? I go to South City and I hardly notice the homeless, they aren’t being rude to anybody, and they aren’t forcing anyone to give them anything. Leave them be.
I agree with Tony, if students feel unsafe imagine how the people who live on the streets feel. And why wasn’t it mentioned that our own campus pantry is low on funding and not helping as many students as it used to?
How exactly are homeless people harrassing students? Why do these students feel unsafe? Because a homeless person asked them for money? That’s not real harassment, and you never specify what this harassment actually is. This article is deeply troubling to me – what’s the real point? If this is about students being able to request parking lot escorts, that should be the first thing mentioned. Instead we get this ridiculous, unfactual, fear-mongering puff-piece about how some students feel unsafe at night because “the homeless” are visible around campus. This isn’t journalism. You’re making a laughingstock of yourselves, Globe. You can do better than this.
The campus is becoming a stop for the vagrants and homeless due to its open space, grass, warm air ventilation and proximity to the city’s misdemeanor crime corridor. Homeless outreach and homeless intervention aren’t the responsibility of SLCC or students and any attempts to respond in such a way will be unsuccessful at addressing the key issue. Students pay to attend SLCC and it should be a safe environment. On more than one occasion these individuals frequenting the campus after dark have become aggressive with students. A number of factors are in play but most of all the administration needs to address lighting, security and surveillance of the property during high risk times. Security officer patrols, boundary fencing and better lighting will reduce the occurrence of these. Lets be adults here and call the issue what it is. A security problem exists and must be addressed.
The title of this article brings dishonor to SLCC South City Campus students. Just based off of this title, it’s as if SLCC’s own newspaper is saying that South City students consider the homeless inferior – which, I don’t believe this is an image that we want or even agree with. I understand not feeling safe at night – I know I don’t (though, its not because of these guys) – but the article doesn’t mention anything threatening that any ragged-looking, possibly “homeless”, person did to incite this. If there’s someone acting aggressive, then, that would be something I would be interested in and the article should highlight it but this… This is just shameful.
Vilifying a population seeking help isn’t a way to make either party feel safe. Instead, perhaps the school can enact changes and outreach initiatives to help the homeless population and to show students that they are people too, not some external threat to be feared. Also as far as the images go, you could very well have pictures of students relaxing on campus while implying they are a threat to campus safety. None of the images are even taken at night, the time this article was about. SLCC can do better and as a member of its community, I demand as such of my peers.
William, I’m one of the quiet givers so don’t misconstrued my intentions. As a commentary-nod to the concerns in this article, I must state that during the weeks of one of my evening 4 hour classes, I have personally witnessed females in the men’s room (north end, 1st floor, and certainly NOT students) preparing themselves… for their next client? This had happened several different times during that semester. It makes sense in that it’s the first facility next to the door. Other times, I have found their remnants, there of, on the men’s room wash counter, floor and haphazardly dangling from the rim of the garbage can.
As mentioned, I give, to the extent of my profits at a culinary business I once owned, literally buckets, gallons and pounds worth. So let us differentiate between folks in need from those more ill-intended.
Your humanitarian concerns are noble and just but there are other elements lurking around our South City campus. And quite frankly I do have a concern for the safety of the evening student body. And, just as you have concerns that we might be lumping all locals into a category, as are you in not recognizing the differences of issues. There IS a valid concern, either way.
In all fairness, it is hard to tell a person’s intent, that is until one becomes unwillingly engaged. Some are seeking help, others are helping themselves. Seriously, the writing is on the walls, literally and figuratively. In all honesty, your harsh demands, wording and opinionations are unfounded to the concerns of this article and not comprehensive, if not naive. (gonna correct my spelling and Oxford structure next?) Take a walk, seriously! Across the street, up it, over to Main. 13th & State, the cig store. Just saying, as a society, we are all in need of something or another. Choose your compassion, mine is of the innocent.
No need to be so defensive, I welcome the input. My only request is that you do not regard my wish to treat others with respect as naive. The issue I take is not with the problem at hand but rather how my peers have chosen to address it. The photos are unfounded and lacking in research, the article lacks any depth, insight, or solution. I’d just like to see something better come out of my school newsletter. The tone also sounds demeaning to the entire population which is the complaint I hold. We both are saying the same thing when it comes down to it. We just don’t want the issue viewed so black and white. Unfortunately, I feel that this article lacks in such insight.
Thanks William for your eloquence in writing and thought. I agree that this article is generalized and vague in distinguishing between thugs and the homeless. However, some of the homeless are thugs. My bottom line is the protection of the student body, and elimination of harassment/intimidation, of which I’ve experienced and witnessed numerous times. Yes, this article needs re-thinking. It is rather “off the cuff.” My opinions stand on the merits of having actual interactions. Tough subject. Thanks for your feedback.
I’m more concerned about the threat of getting run over by stressed-out college students rushing to class or looking for a spare parking spot at that campus. I saw so many wrecks around there while a student and walking my kids to elementary school a few blocks away was often terrifying than walking pass someone who may or may not be in need of genuine help.
The language used in this article treats people affected by homelessness like criminals or animals. Try replacing the words “homeless people” and “panhandlers” in this article with “zombies” or “raccoons” to see what I mean. This isn’t the way I think we should be talking about this issue.
What people can REALLY do if they’re bothered by homelessness (not homeless people, but the issue of homelessness) is go check out the No Fixed Address exhibit at the Leonardo, donate time or money to organizations like The Road Home, or carry granola bars in their bag to hand out to people who look like they could use a helping hand. No need to demonize these folks who already have it bad enough. Let’s try to show a little more compassion.
Interesting pictures. All I see is people minding their own business while some girl takes photos of them and publishes them without bothering to ask their consent.
Tony, legally there is no requirement to get permission when taking photos in a public place, but I agree with your point.
Regardless, SLCC should be a safe zone from all bigotry.
If any SLCC student thinks the presence of homeless is a problem, then maybe they should give them somewhere to sleep. Poverty doesn’t have an off-season.
I have heard great things about SLCC’s PAL’s feeding the homeless at the Saint Paul de Vincent Soup Kitchen.
It isn’t illegal, but it is a matter of respect and ethical consideration when you are taking a photo of someone for publication.
What is legally questionable (and definitely poor journalism) is taking candid photos of people and publishing them with captions depicting them as homeless as a statement of fact. How exactly has the photographer and Globe SLCC verified that the couple sitting near the bus stop is homeless and not simply having lunch while waiting for the bus on the public easement? Obviously none of the subjects in those photos are harassing students and to cast them as such borders on defamation.
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