ALANA WINGATE
Special to The Leader
While donuts are often stereotypically associated with cops, SUNY Fredonia students recently spotted University Police with a different sweet treat: ice cream.
A “Cones with a Cop” event was held outside University Commons on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
“I mean, I always love free ice cream,” said resident assistant Amanda Keppel, who joined students and campus officers to share a tasty treat while discussing campus safety.
The event gave students the opportunity to get acquainted with University Police officers in a relaxed setting and environment.
Students who attended the event received a flashlight keychain with the campus police phone number engraved on it. Also, those who programmed the police’s number in their phone received an ice cream cone.
One of the many campus police personnel who attended the event was Lieutenant Benjamin Miller. Miller shared with students that he’ll always have their back, as they snacked on Cognacs.
“I think it’s important to get the university police out and engage with the students and make them realize we’re more than just, you know, ‘the big bad police officers,’” Miller said. “We’re here to help them out with anything they need help with.”
Miller explained the difference between University Police and Fredonia Police.
“We troll just the university campus and [its] joining roadways, but we do [also] assist Fredonia police with anything they need in the village,” he said. “They also come on the campus and assist us. But our general jurisdiction is just [reserved to] the college’s own buildings.”
In recent years, as a result of modern social climates, police officers have often become viewed in more negative lights. Therefore, many people have developed unfavorable perceptions of law enforcement.
“I have a complicated relationship with the police as an institution because I don’t think, as an institution, they are a great thing,” said Resident Assistant Sophie Myers. “I know that they’re there to keep [communities] safe. But, I’m generally not a fan of the police as an institution.”
Although Meyers expressed disillusionment with law enforcement, she acknowledges the value and overall importance of the University Police.
“Having worked with the police here on campus, I kind of have a relationship with them,” Myers said. “And they’ve actually been really helpful in terms of when we have students that are in trouble, they are kind of always there to respond to incidents. I’ve never seen any of the police get out of hand.”
Overall, the event helped connect students with campus police and the information to contact them if ever needed.
If anyone needs to ever contact Fredonia University Police in case of emergency, you can call them at (716) 673-3333. The department is open 24 hours a day.