Ride with campus security

John Brown takes place on security staff

By Seth McConnell

“I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back

I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back

I been everywhere, still I'm standing tall

I've seen a million faces

And I've rocked them all”

“I hope you like Bon Jovi.” Says a young man appearing to be in his mid-20’s. His words are just audible over the top of the Bon Jovi hit Wanted Dead or Alive pumping through the stock speakers.

Despite what age John Brown may physically appear he was barely a glimmer in his fathers eye when Bon Jovi penned their hit 1986 album Slippery When Wet.

19-year-old Brown is Northwest College’s newest night security guard taking over for former night watchman Loyal Olsen after his departure to Iowa late last semester.

Late Monday afternoon the shift begins after a stop at the Powell police department to check out his tools of the trade­- a flashlight and two-way radio. This is an obvious change of pace from Browns other job as a reserve sheriff’s deputy in Carbon County Montana.

“The biggest difference is at home I carry a gun,” Brown said “Here the pepper spray and radio are all I carry for my protection.”

Brown spent 152 hours last semester training to be a reserve in addition to his normal load of classes at NWC.

After a brief conversation with dispatch Brown collects his gear and heads back to the college to start his shift.

“The biggest part of this job is securing school property.” Brown commented.

After last year’s theft of thousands of dollars worth of electronics from several classrooms on campus any unused room at night is locked.

Most nights are fairly calm, most action comes when he kicks people out of buildings or tells drivers to slow down in the parking lot.

Tonight is no exception to the norm. The only variation is tonights women’s basketball game occurring in the Cabre Gym; It gives Brown a slight distraction from the monotony of night security on a small quiet campus.

It’s 7:30 pm and Brown is several hours into a nine-and-a-half-hour shift- the excitement of the basketball game has died down and the first round of lockdown is complete. This is usually the point when boredom sets in as the waiting game starts.  It will be several hours before final lock down occurs and the campus is dead.

Brown is proactive though, and sets out across campus visiting each of the residence halls. Although the residence halls are not in his jurisdiction he finds them to be a wealth of information.

“Its interesting what you find out by just walking in the door,” Brown says through a half smile.

Contrary to popular belief, Brown knows a good portion of what is going on around campus.

Spending time in the residence halls Brown has built a rapport with not only the RAs but with residents as well. This helps Brown combat the belief held by others that his peers won’t take him seriously because he is a student.

At approximately 10 p.m., every building on campus, with the exception of the graphics lab and the library, are closed to students. This is when Brown heads back out into the cold to start final lockdown.

This is a tedious task as every room is checked, all lights are shut off and every door is checked and locked.

Most nights this is an uneventful task, with the biggest shake up being a few students forgetting the time and being asked to leave. Tonight is no different, the only exception is a few stragglers in the Trapper Gym that lost track of time.

Brown finishes final lockdown shortly after midnight, scribbles down a few notes and heads back for his vehicle.

“The worst part about this job is trying to figure out where I parked my car.” Brown says with a sheepish grin.