The Campus Security Crunch
Members of the SPJ-UHM Chapter are working on a project to make Campus Security logs visible to the university community. The logs, which lists the rounds taken by Campus Security officers and report campus incidents, were closed spring 2006 by the new Chief Neal Sakamoto. Sakamoto claims that the record logs constitute a breach of privacy for the parties involved.
When a bystander on or near campus reports an incident to Campus Security, the information - which includes the date, time and involved parties - is recorded in a log, which is supposed to be public. For example, when a man reports his laptop stolen from the Ba-Le restaurant at UHM, Campus Security, according to a federal law, should provide this information within a 48-hour period. Anyone from the community has the right to view the log, but now they can only view a condensed version on the Web that does not have enough information to be helpful.
Failed efforts
Reporters from the university's student newspaper, Ka Leo, have attempted to seeking information from the public logs. One reporter has requested information from Chief Sakamoto in person, by e-mail and by phone since the log's closure last spring but has received the same response - "We've been busy; I'll get someone to gather that for you." When the information is finally provided to the reporter, it is weeks late.
Web log not helpful
Campus Security created an online version for the public earlier this summer. However, the information provided is vague and offers little to help the public. A media version for the logs is also pending.
More accountability
Opening the logs would create more accountability for Campus Security officers while allowing students and the university community to foresee potentially dangerous situations and areas on campus.
The student body government - the Associated Students at the University of Hawai'i (ASUH) - has campaigned and advocated for increased transparency by Campus Security since last spring, following allegations that officers abused their powers.
Keep tabs on student members' efforts this year through their ongoing blog, "Campus Security Chronicle."