When people see a large white van with only two windows driving down the street, it tends to spark thoughts of the "creeper" van. If not the creeper van, it makes people think of a van that would be used for kidnapping purposes because it only has the two windows, perfect for clandestine activity.
I've personally had several encounters with the creepy white van, namely on Spring Break for many years. At the resort I go to every year, large white vans drive around slowly, scoping out the out-of-towners in their bikinis.
Creepy white van? Yes. Creepy drivers? Yes.
It took me a few years to realize they are worker vans that drive slow to avoid hitting the numerous vacationers. Yet, the fact that it's a large white van still creeps me out sometimes.
Now picture Ball State University, where there are large white vans that drive around. They have multiple windows and a small Ball State University decal on the side. Except these aren't creeper vans that roam campus – they are the Charlie's Charter escort service. These large white vans provide free rides for students on campus, anywhere around campus.
During the winter months, when twilight comes much earlier in the evening, thousands of students are out on campus streets walking in the cold darkness. Many walk in groups to remain safe, yet there are still some who think walking alone is an OK thing to do.
News flash: It's not OK to walk alone at night, whether you're a male or female, freshman or senior. Yes, I did say male. Although typically it's females that fall victim in unsafe conditions, males are just as prone to getting a wallet stolen as a female. And don't worry about your image if you call Charlie's Charter and you're a male – you get back to your room quicker, safer and richer than the guy who didn't call and got his wallet stolen because he had to be the macho man.
I would like to think that at any time of day or night, I could walk around Ball State or any other campus and be safe, but that's simply not the case. Ball State is a safe campus but, as students, it's our responsibility to make safe decisions. First of all, it's very cold outside at this time of year, especially when walking from one end of campus to another or from the library after studying until 3 a.m. Secondly, it's dark outside. I'm not talking about dusk; I'm talking about when it's pitch black outside even with the street lights scattered around the university. The lights aren't everywhere so there are some shady places on campus – scary for nighttime walking.
For those of you that think you're invincible and it won't happen to you, or you rely on your "Spidey-vision" to get you back to your dorm late at night, think again. I don't know if some people think it's so late on a school night that no one will be out and therefore it's safe, but it's not.
Instead of taking the risk that you could fall victim to a burglary or something even worse, don't take the chance. Just call Charlie's Charter (765-760-RIDE or 765-285-5005, put it in your phone right now. Stop reading this column and put it in) to come and pick you up, and you will definitely get back safe.
Although it only runs Sunday through Thursday until 3:30 a.m., take advantage of the free ride. Even if it's a busy night and you have to wait for the escort service, please wait or call or text someone to come and get you wherever you might be on campus. Myself, as well as most of the student population I'm sure, don't want to read another article in the Daily News about an attack or burglary on the campus we call home. No one wants to get another e-mail informing us of what happened last night when most of us were studying or playing video games – an e-mail that ends with common sense tips. Follow those tips this semester instead of thinking something bad can't happen to you.
Sara Nahrwold is a freshman journalism major and writes ‘Nahrwords' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to sara at snnahrwold@bsu.edu
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