Bethel’s speed limit may have increased, but Security and Safety does more than hand out parking tickets.
Abby Petersen | News Editor
Bethel Security and Safety knocked the 19 miles per hour speed limit up this summer – to 20.
A previous director enacted the 19 mph speed limit as a means of getting the attention of drivers. Director of Security and Safety Andrew Luchsinger said the decision bloomed from drivers not taking the speed limit seriously. Luchsinger, director for the past 6 years, supported the speed limit increase to change this perception.
The speed limit does not affect police presence on campus, according to Luchsinger. Luchsinger believes the role of security is to bring peace to chaos at Bethel, although he believes students often connect security only to parking tickets.
Students and staff may struggle to find free parking spaces at 8 a.m. but Luchsinger says this is normal for the start of a school year and the limited space will eventually even out. About 1800 parking spaces exist on campus, not including more than 700 at the Anderson Center. The primary function of security staff monitoring parking, Luchsinger says, is to address problems and see if new parking needs to be added.
“We want to bring peace to chaos,” Luchsinger said.
When it comes to parking tickets, Bethel security uses a graduated fines system, meaning that receiving a violation doesn’t necessarily result in a fine – except for repeat offenders.
Luchsinger hopes to change the attitude that security at Bethel is only out to enforce the laws but rather that security seeks to keep students safe. This includes partnering with the Bethel shuttle system to provide safe ways for students to travel through campus. Security also offers an escort service for students traveling campus at night.
In 2013, Bethel was the first university in Minnesota to offer a functional exercise on responding to an active shooter situation. Luchsinger believes the preparedness of Bethel security is one of its strengths.
“Our mission is to promote public safety,” Luchsinger said. “We’re here to serve them (students).”
