Thursday, August 25, 2005

By Larry Pakowski, PR Intern

WILMINGTON, N.C. – University Police at the University of North Carolina Wilmington gave away a teal coiled wristband with a lighted, white high-pitch whistle to each incoming freshman to serve as a subtle reminder of safety. Although this is the first year for such a program, plans are already underway to ensure this becomes a normal giveaway associated with “UNCWelcome,” a variety of welcoming events during the first few weeks of the academic year.

The bracelet and whistle project was made possible by a generous donation from Howard Coupland, Wilmington commercial photographer and 1993 UNCW graduate. He said he wanted to help make the campus a safer place. He referred to the saying, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” widely attributed to Edmund Burke, noting that he tries to live his life guided by that thought.

“Hopefully, seeing these bracelets being worn will inspire the good guys to stand up, take charge, and deal with the bad guys appropriately,” he said. “Come on guys, I know you’re out there.” Coupland is the grandson of major UNCW benefactor, Raiford Trask Sr.

Lieutenant Mitch Cook calls the whistles “another tool to improve safety,” and with self defense and RAD courses already in place, the whistles will be the next step in continuing to ensure that UNCW is a safe campus. Cook added that “any tool that will bring attention helps, especially with this being such a pedestrian campus.” With security officers on foot and police officers on bikes and in patrol cars, the whistles, if blown, will be heard throughout the campus.

In addition to the whistles, the police department also sent every freshman, both on and off campus, a packet containing brochures, a magnet with local and UNCW law enforcement phone numbers, and a letter from the University Police Chief David Donaldson. Cook concluded by saying, “We’ve always been concerned about safety, and we want parents to realize this is a very safe campus.”