Jesus Don't Snitch
A full reprint of last issue's cut off article
Jaime White
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Opinion
If you check out the form for Silent Witness on the Public Safety website, it gives drop-down options in regards to the type of crime and location of crime, and places to type in a specific location/address, relevant dates/times, a description of the event, and the name and/or a description of the suspect.
One of the options in the drop-down menu in regards to location is "off campus buildings". Off campus, as in NOT on campus, as in, to my understanding, NOT in the jurisdiction of Public Safety.
Perhaps I'm wrong, and Messiah students can never escape P. Safety, or maybe this just applies to Messiah off campus housing. But in all honesty, is this fair? If you live off campus, it is to be on your own, to be a true "adult."
Is it fair to rob those students of their ability to engage in legal activities, such as enjoying a beer with lunch at a restaurant? I know that in the past, students on campus have reported such things, and they were actual repercussions. I have heard stories of particular RA's staking out local bars and clubs in order to catch fellow students participating in activities the federal government allows.
In regards to the proper processes involved with reporting crimes as a Messiah student, we are supposed to contact Public Safety first. If you see an actual crime committed off campus, call the police.
In conclusion, I believe it wise to remember the words of Matthew 7:1-5, where Jesus commands "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
One of the options in the drop-down menu in regards to location is "off campus buildings". Off campus, as in NOT on campus, as in, to my understanding, NOT in the jurisdiction of Public Safety.
Perhaps I'm wrong, and Messiah students can never escape P. Safety, or maybe this just applies to Messiah off campus housing. But in all honesty, is this fair? If you live off campus, it is to be on your own, to be a true "adult."
Is it fair to rob those students of their ability to engage in legal activities, such as enjoying a beer with lunch at a restaurant? I know that in the past, students on campus have reported such things, and they were actual repercussions. I have heard stories of particular RA's staking out local bars and clubs in order to catch fellow students participating in activities the federal government allows.
In regards to the proper processes involved with reporting crimes as a Messiah student, we are supposed to contact Public Safety first. If you see an actual crime committed off campus, call the police.
In conclusion, I believe it wise to remember the words of Matthew 7:1-5, where Jesus commands "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
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