One of the most important aspects of attending school is being in a safe environment where you feel comfortable and can focus on learning. Part of this safety comes from within the school buildings and classrooms and another comes from the surrounding area. While downtown Phoenix is an up-and-coming area, it is still an area inhabited by many unfortunate, homeless individuals. Being that these people are unknown and perceived to be desperate, most students I have spoken with label them as unstable and potentially dangerous.

 

   For female students commuting by themselves to the Downtown Phoenix campus of ASU it is very understandable that there is some uneasiness about walking to their cars after a night class is dismissed. The area outside of the main Walter Cronkite building isn't what you would necessarily describe as well lit, either. "Walking to my car - where I park it is further away from the downtown campus, kind of off of it a little bit - walking to it is pretty sketchy at times, I feel a little uncomfortable," describes ASU student Lauren Penland.

 

   Lauren goes on to say that she doesn't feel that it is right that she have to feel unsafe while she is at a campus that she pays to attend. Another downtown campus female student, Danielle Teitelbaum, says that she also feels nervous when leaving her night classes and that her biggest fear is being assaulted and/or robbed by a homeless person. "They are desperate for money and have nothing to lose," explains Teitelbaum. She also mentioned that she thinks ASU should do something to fix the issue and increase student safety. Unfortunately, after further consideration, Teitelbaum realized that it probably isn't the university's issue to fix but instead the City of Phoenix.

 

   You would have to imagine that Arizona State would be on the same page as these two students and wish to have all their students feel safe, so what can Phoenix do to help out? The obvious answer is to get the homeless people off of the street and into shelters and programs to help them. Here with Forsaken Faces we encourage everyone to get involved and contribute in any way, shape, or form to making this happen because it benefits everyone.

 

 

Interview with Lauren Penland