I usually am a big supporter of the SAFE (Safe Arrival For Everyone) Nighttime Services. However, this past Saturday night I had a pretty unpleasant experience with SAFEride. After a house party my roommates and I hosted, everybody was heading home. There were three freshman women remaining who called for a SAFEride to the same Southeast dorm from the Vilas neighborhood. When the cab got here, the third woman was turned away as per SAFEride's policy of no more than two riders to a cab. The woman reminded the driver of the dangerous situation recently developing in the Vilas area, specifically the multiple armed robberies within a few blocks of our house, and asked him to forgive the rule. He bluntly responded with I don't care,"" so she returned to our house to seek our help. As my roommate approached the cab to speak with the driver, the taxi pulled away, leaving her on our doorstep.
I would first like to say that the treatment of this woman was uncalled for and against all for which the SAFE Nighttime Services stand. Second, I know the policy of no more than two people to a cab exists, but I do not fully understand why it is a problem to have three people in the backseat of a sedan, especially in an unsafe situation. Third, while we were sympathetic and kindly drove the woman home, not all houses would have been so understanding. While I'm sure there is sound reasoning behind SAFEride policy, I think this particular policy needs to be reevaluated given recent events that are all too painful for the downtown community. There is nothing wrong with a little flexibility in policy in order to help ensure that there is Safe Arrival For Everyone.
Sincerely,
Tracy Smith,
Tracy is a senior majoring in education and spanish. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
