CHAPEL HILL, NC – Walking alone at night can be uncomfortable and unsafe for UNC students whether they live on or off campus. That’s why since 2009, the student-led organization SafeWalk has been helping Tar Heels get home safely. This year, UNC’s favorite night crusaders have gotten some upgrades.
Sponsored by the University, SafeWalk is an organization that employs students to stand outside of campus locations, such as libraries and offer to walk students home at night. For senior SafeWalker Sophia Raspanti, this mission is a step towards creating a more secure environment for students.
“To me, it’s like really important that people, especially young women, get home safely,” she said. “And I think that it just kind of helps prevent stuff from happening and it’s just a good proactive measure, in my opinion, to keep everybody safe.”
SafeWalkers can currently be found in pairs outside of Davis Library from Sunday to Thursday. After a late-night study session, you can get a walk between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. to both on or off campus housing.
Monica Rivell, SafeWalk’s Director of Personnel said there are students who regularly enjoy utilizing SafeWalk’s services.
“I would say that it brings a sense of security to students,” Rivell said. “Even if we’re not reaching all 20 or 30,000 students, for the few people that do use us, it’s something that they rely on.”
SafeWalk has worked to increase that sense of reliability this year through new upgrades. After coming under the leadership of UNC Police, SafeWalkers are going through new trainings to enhance their ability to carry out safety procedures. This includes being trained to carry Narcan, an emergency drug overdose treatment.
SafeWalk is also wearing new uniforms this year. After years of being confused with crossing guards and other security officers, employees are wearing new blue vests featuring the SafeWalk logo and phone number on it. Nick Chappell, SafeWalk’s Program Director, these new vests solidify the organization’s presence on campus.
“We have, I guess, this identity now with the new uniforms, it’s just really going back to the feeling useful and feeling appreciated, just goes back to that,” Chappell said.
Though employees are enjoying these new upgrades, their favorite part of the job remains getting to meet new students. For Chappell, being a SafeWalker means making unlikely friends.
“It’s just really cool because a lot of people you walk you’d never get to talk to unless you were to do this job,” he said.
SafeWalk can be reached in person or over the phone by calling 919-962-7233. To learn more about the program, visit the SafeWalk website.