Al-Qaida’s attack on the U.S. six years ago prompted the government to implement more security policies and measures.
The Department of Homeland Security instituted the Homeland Security Advisory System in 2002 to alert Americans of terrorist threats through a five-level, color-coded system to warn the public.
The Transportation Security Administration has implemented stricter regulations after several incidents occurred in airports, such as not allowing passengers to carry liquids or sharp objects in carry-on baggage. Passengers’ shoes are searched after a failed attempt to detonate hidden explosives in December 2001.
Also effective Oct. 1, U.S. citizens are required to have a passport if traveling to or from Mexico and Canada.
Despite the increased measures, many students are still on edge about the day and national safety precautions.
Spanish senior Roland Lopez said national security must stay at a high level.
"Security is still lacking," Lopez said. "We need to be able to stop something before it happens rather than waiting until it’s almost too late."
Business management junior Anastasia Smith said that she doesn’t feel threatened despite initial fears.
"Not to sound naive, but I do feel pretty safe," Smith said. "I mean, I don’t feel 100 percent safe all the time, but I don’t think anyone does. Before Sept. 11, to be afraid of terrorist attacks never even crossed my mind."
Smith said she does, however, question her safety as an American citizen.
"I guess that’s probably the scariest thing, thinking that our government hasn’t spent enough time analyzing what led up to Sept. 11, how to prevent a future attack or how to deal with one when and if it happens again," she said.
But some, like kinesiology junior Amanda Weeks, said that the increased security and restrictions are worth it.
"I still feel safe," Weeks said. "I hate going through airport security and having to take off my shoes and throw away my shampoo and wait in long lines, but it is definitely worth it if it can prevent another attack."Safety aside, some students said that with all the government security policies, they are having trouble trusting the administration’s capabilities.
"I don’t feel safe. Honestly, I feel the government isn’t telling us everything," business junior Andre Battles said. "There have been other threats, and they are covering them up."
Some students, such as political science junior Mirel Herrera, said he thinks terrorist threats are exaggerated.
"I think the threat is dramatized." Herrera said." I think a lot of what you hear is just scare-tactics."
In light of security concerns, the UH Police Department has taken several new measures on keeping the UH students safe.
"We now have a room monitored 24 hours a day that is hooked up to 300 cameras located around campus," UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis said. "We have also changed bike uniforms to a bright blue, which gives higher visibility."
UHPD is also now more apt to act on questionable behavior, whereas in the past, a more watchful approach was taken.
"We approach things a lot different now," Davis said. "In the past, we would post up and wait for the person to do something before we went ahead and made an intervention. Now we approach the person immediately – that way we are visible, but not authoritative."
Campus safety
Even without Sept. 11 concerns, students said that safety concerns are more prevalent than a terrorist attack because of the direct effect is more evident.
Accounting senior Natalie Peeples prefers a limited daytime class schedule to keep her safe on campus.
"I feel pretty safe on campus during the daytime. I make my schedule so I never have to be on campus after dark. I also try to choose my classes to all be in Melcher Hall so that I can stay in one building," Peeples said.
Weeks said she feels safe, but keeps a close eye on her surroundings when alone on campus.
"I feel safe, but I am always cautious. I always check to see who is around when I am walking to and from my car, and I never go anywhere at night without having somebody else with me," she said.
Campus police and call boxes located in the parking lots and different areas of campus give some students, like Smith, a feeling of security.
"As far as campus life goes, I do feel pretty safe. I frequently see campus police around, and we have a lot of those emergency call booth things in the parking lots," she said.
Hotel and restaurant management junior Lawrence English is skeptical of student safety because of the campus’ large size.
"With the campus being as big as it is and the amount of students we have, there is really no telling who is walking around," English said. "It seems like it would be pretty hard to keep track of everybody who is on campus at any one time."
Davis said that vigilance on the part of the students is important in guaranteeing a secure campus.
"Most of all, I would say that students need to believe in themselves," he said. "When you get a feeling, your body is telling you something and you need to listen to it. Students need to remember that there are 40,000 students and faculty members, and 105 of us, so we depend on the students to let us know if they see anything suspicious."
Other safety tips that Davis noted were walking with a partner at night, walking on well-lit walkways, being alert by knowing your surroundings and knowing where the emergency call boxes are located in the parking lots.
In case of emergency or suspicious activity, students are urged to call 911 or the UH emergency number at (713) 743-3333.
Additional reporting by Mike Damante and Liz Martin
