EAU CLAIRE -- A program designed to help students, staff, faculty and alumni get home safely will begin its second year at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The Campus Watch Escort Service, established in September of 1996 by the Housing and Residence Life Office, provides a walking escort service for members of the university community.

The escorts, comprised of students called roves, provide services to men and women from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The service doesn't operate when the university is closed or if the temperature gets to minus 10 degrees or colder.

People wanting a walking escort can call (715) 836-4266 or request assistance directly if they see a team of escorts.

When not providing escorts, roves survey the campus for maintenance problems such as burned out lights, broken windows or damaged equipment. They also report accidents, crimes in progress, vandalism, people needing medical or police assistance or suspicious circumstances.

Since the program's inception, more than 150 maintenance and incident reports have been generated. Escorts have assisted police with a drug case, recovered lost property, helped motorists with car problems and recovered stolen property.

Escorts undergo a rigorous screening process before being hired, including two records checks from law enforcement agencies. Employees then must complete four to six hours of field training, four hours of classroom training and study a manual which covers everything from policies to radio operations. Among the things escorts must learn is self defense, crisis intervention for suicide, identifying someone in need of detox, and how to control a crowd.

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JB

Updated: Aug. 29, 1997