“Observe and report,” – that’s the motto of Night Watch Supervisor Gary Marzello. Every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., Bryan College night watch members make their rounds about campus: locking doors, making sure no students are locked out of the dorms and occasionally warding off trespassing locals.
However, as the college continues to grow, and especially once the intersection is complete for the new entrance, Marzello said he believes a few things about the night watch job may have to be upgraded.
“As soon as TDOT puts that light in, things are going to change,” Marzello said. “Things are going to change inexorably.”
Marzello has been in the security business for 29 years. He’s been on Bryan’s night watch for three-and-a-half years. For him, it’s pivotal for students to understand that night watch, while it can ensure safety during night hours, is not official security.
“We’re not a police force,” Marzello said.
Not being official security means that night watch cannot legally detain trespassers or bear arms, according to Marzello. If there are any problems, night watch must to call 911.
Also, the new entrance poses a new challenge for security in that it makes for easier access to the college and increases the school’s visibility, according to Marzello.
At this point, there will be “no restriction of access” at Bryan’s entrance. However, despite the potential need for an on-campus security team, the intersection is anticipated to be completed August of 2011.
Doug Schott, director of the physical plant, said Bryan has made significant improvements in overall campus safety over the years including the additional lighting in the parking lots, security cameras and the automatic fire alarm systems. He said they are currently installing additional lighting at the emergency exits in Rudd Auditorium.
“The avoidance of a problem is the best way to handle things,” Schott said. “You don’t want to have to deal with a problem. You prefer to avoid it completely.”
Having night watch driving around the campus and keeping an eye on things at night does help prevent problems, according to Schott.
Along with keeping an eye out for trespassers, night watch occasionally has to confront student pranks. However, this hasn’t been a common problem this year, according to Schott.
“There’s no way of really knowing something’s going on until after it has happened,” said Aaron Mowery, a substitute night watch. “I think eventually Bryan’s going to have to get some real security.”
Developing real security, according to Marzello, would entail hiring full-time security officers and training them, which would be a costly endeavor. However, it may be a necessity within a few years.
Both Marzello and Schott said they’ve been really pleased with the way students have been handling themselves this year. Schott said he’s been pleased in the way SGA has coordinated the banquets and always made sure to clean up afterward. He also said he’s noticed a lot less litter on the campus this year.
“I like that students have a sense that this is their place,” Schott said.