How campus security keeps canyon homes protected 

The addition of canyon homes to the TMU campus has created new challenges to overcome. On Jan. 21, there was a “burglary,” where some A.V. equipment taken from the Spurgeon canyon home garage next to the MacArthur Center. This occurrence further added to the conversation about canyon homes regarding the safety of these homes, and how this should be maintained. 

The spread-out nature of the homes within the canyon adds a unique challenge. To address it, Campus Security has put a system in place that covers all of campus, including the homes spread throughout the canyon. Security guard Ryan Walsh provided input on the protocol, explaining that “There are routes that we take, which intersect all of the canyon homes.” 

Furthermore, the team goes on hourly patrols throughout the campus and canyon to ensure safety. Walsh said that, since the burglary, the security team had added extra security cameras around campus and canyon homes. The team has also encouraged students to continually take their own safety precautions, such as locking home doors. The canyon homes come with keypads on the entrances with personalized passwords for each home. Walsh encouraged canyon home residents to not share their home passwords with anyone outside of the home. 

Canyon home resident Raquel Calderon has lived in the canyon homes for two years. She is currently in the Judson canyon home. Calderon discussed the difference in the security while being in the dorms versus the canyon homes.

“I think that security is more accessible and present when you’re at the dorms because the guard shack is close. They verify the vehicles coming in and out of the drops,” she stated. “When you’re in a canyon home, you’re truly on your own. You don’t have that security at your front door. It gets scary sometimes, especially if you’re home alone.” 

Another canyon home resident, Nathan Blackburn, added to this topic, stating, “I think chances are lower for someone being there on time in a canyon home vs. a dorm because of the centrality of the dorms. The canyon homes are just further away from security, and there are fewer people around you, so there is less of a chance of someone waking up and helping you.”