student quotes, advice, stories about crime, safety, friends and wolves in sheep's clothing
Part ONE :
HERE.
In the past four years, we have collected bits of writing, emails, lengthy stories, recorded narratives,
poetry--written by K-State students regarding the meanness, violence, and sexual theft some humans are perpetrating on others; the "serial rapist," crime in general, crime in aggieville. These focus on safety in aggieville. I think it can be instructive and cathartic for many as well as providing data to the investigative.
Stories & Student experience/ideas about "the issue": Part 2--
I thought it might be an idea to require Aggieville bar staff to undergo training. Aggieville bar owners could
collaborate with police, SANE/SART, Women's Center, WAR, PEERS, Crisis Center etc. to have ALL bar staff trained on what behaviors to look for that make an unsafe environment, signs of use of date rape drugs, and what to do if they suspect someone has been drugged or is in danger of an assault.
I know that underage people get let in all the time to the bars.
Especially Kites. This can be because they know the bouncer or know
someone who knows them or just has a good fake ID. I'm sure that it happens at other bars as well. I know of someone underage that got into Tubbys on a number of occasions, Tanks has let someone in underage
that I know but I'm sure he just has a good fake.
I would say that Bushwackers (formerly Silverados) is a bar that no one I know will go into. It was the only bar I've been to where there was a problem with being groped by guys I didn't even see. I've had guys
try to grope me at Kites but I know I can always just go tell the bouncer and they will throw them out. Rusty's is a bar that makes me a little wary.
I know that a guy friend of mine got beat up in the ally behind Rustys by three other guys.
One concern that I have about Aggieville is that you can't leave your car in Aggieville or else you get a ticket. I think that this encourages people to drive home drunk because they're worried of getting a ticket.
The safety of the Aggieville area is something that should be on everybody's priority list. Aggieville is well lit, but the surrounding residences, which students often walk from to go to the bars, are very
poorly lit, often with no street lamps at all. I lived on Bluemont, a
very major street, and never walked it without a group of friends
because of the poor lighting. Some ideas for better safety at the
bars: police patrols, trustworthy volunteers, military personnel- to
patrol the Aggieville district at all times... not just on major
holidays. These officials could help ensure the safety of the people
during drinking hours, and afterwards, when people are trying to get home.
Some thoughts from two of my students and their friends on facebook,
asked about Aggieville and safety:
I don't recommend that females walk home alone at night from Aggieville.
It just isn't safe. I would say that for the most part, women aren’t safe in Manhattan.
I've started running again, and the only time I can find to do it is at night, after the sun has gone down. It is insane for me to run alone at night at City Park...there is practically NO lighting. City Park is in desperate need of lighting.
I think the way Manhattan regards the safety of its population, especially the female subset, leaves much to be desired. The rape problem in this town is unacceptable and the way that the town responds
to it is also poor. When a woman is violated, it appears to be common practice to blame her for it, make excuse of some other kind, or simply
ignore it. No one cares. It is like, "Oh yeah, that rapist, yeah that happens sometimes," as though being raped was just a part of everyday life that someone should accept.
I don't think Manhattan has some of the security issues of a larger town. I don't fear being robbed at
gunpoint, or being beaten by a mob, or any sort of criminal craziness, with the exception of rape. If I were to be harmed in this town, I would expect the violation to come in the most intimate fashion: rape.
Being raped on my way home from a fun night with friends is a true fear of mine, so I hardly ever go out for drinks in Aggieville. If I did, I would not walk home by myself. I probably wouldn't walk home unless I
was with more than five people. Men may not understand this fear. Men may say, "So what? What's the problem with walking home with friends?
You shouldn't walk home alone. protect yourself!" The problem is: men don't have to walk home with friends. THAT'S PATRIARCHY!!! There are barely any street lights between Aggieville and my house. The streets are so dark that, if I did choose to walk home, I'd have to squint to see the sidewalk! This is true; it is not an exaggeration. Young women are unprotected in Manhattan. Some bars in Aggieville don't even
have locks on the bathroom doors. I hear of rape almost everyday, and I am sick of it. I am sick of it. The bars and other businesses in Aggieville seem to be completely unconcerned with Rape. Of course, what do they care? They made their money.
(Hey girl I got into the bars Because I was with Colette and she knew the guys working! It’s standard practice at Silverado’s- underage, after hours.)
Mommy I’m Scared: Thoughts on Aggieville Safety
Aggieville can be a scary place for a young woman to venture to for a night of fun. Many bars do not have adequate numbers of bouncers to sufficiently monitor their establishments. I have been in bars that have patio areas or back rooms that are completely unmonitored, other than the occasional waitress. This creates not only an unsafe environment for customers, but also for waitress staff. Bars need to work on having all areas of their establishments securely monitored.
Another aspect which bars needs to improve upon is monitoring alcohol consumption. Bar tenders and waitresses need to prevent over-serving of alcoholic beverages. There are laws in Kansas against the over-serving of alcohol. Bar employees need to be aware of the laws, and what their job obligations are in preventing over-serving. I have seen a young man puke in the street, walk into a bar, and be served a drink. This is irresponsible of the bars in Aggieville, and needs to stop.
Bars need to pay attention to the upkeep of their establishment. Many bars that I have visited do not have locks on bathroom stall doors. Not only does this create an environment that invades privacy, but it facilitates a dangerous environment. The lock on a stall door may make the difference between someone being assaulted or not. Also considered under the upkeep of the establishment, bars need to have adequate lighting.
The final issue I have with bars in Aggieville is the ways drinks are prepared and staff trained. Drinks should be prepared in front of the customer. Bottles and cans should be opened in front of the customer. I personally know of people who have been drugged in Aggieville by bartenders. This is not a problem for women only, men have been drugged too. I am weary of ordering drinks just because I fear being drugged. Some communities have safe bar training programs to teach staff about rape, date rape drugs, and the rights of the employee. These programs teach staff what to do in various situations including that in which an employee sees someone spike another’s drink. Aggieville should get involved in one of these programs, or possibly start their own!
Aggieville needs more police involvement. I ask, where are the police when someone is being forced to do something, or go somewhere they do not want to go? Where are the police when a drunk girl is being carried down the sidewalk by someone she does not know? The Aggieville police need to spend less time writing parking tickets and more time paying attention to the safety of people!!!
aggieville video after several kstaters went to a miss black and gold event, got some wings, and walked around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHiS1uoIzOI
this video was taken around 1 on a saturday night/sunday morning. we were constantly harassed by individuas or groups of men. we were happy to be with each other, were not looking for company. we were polite to those who approached us but they were undeterred. You can see an apparent drug deal, an ambulance taking someone out of silverados, a ladder on the main sidewalk, projectile vomiting, screaming, etc. other Films taken during the day shows the filthy sidewalks, human expectorants of various kinds all over the street and sidewalks, garbage and unmentionable (gag) in the allys.
more on daterape drugs:
http://marysbeagooddogblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/drug-facilitated-rape.html
Again from that calendar, Chocolate Lab Beauty
