UW-Madison's Safe Arrival For Everyone nighttime services are rising in popularity, particularly the SAFEwalk program, according to the organization's statistics from last month.
Last month, the number of people using the SAFEwalk program rose to 227 from its prior monthly average of approximately 150, said SAFE Nighttime Services Coordinator Jane Goemans.
Goemans said September is normally a busy month for SAFEwalk because new students are just beginning to get acquainted with the campus.
UW-Madison freshman Betsy Conrad said she agreed.
\It's easy to feel as if the city is the campus and you can walk anywhere, but that's not the case,"" she said.
Goemans speculated that the increased usage has to do with an increased willingness to call SAFE Nighttime Services and an increased concern of safety at night. Despite this, said she she feels that some students may still be hesitant to call.
""I think a lot of students feel they don't need help. To ask for help is a difficult thing to do,"" Goemans said.
UW-Madison sophomore Jessica Baldacchino expressed this view as well.
""SAFEwalk is a good thing, but I don't like picturing myself as a potential victim ... by admitting that I needed people to protect me in a simple walk from the library to the Southeast dorms,"" she said.
UW-Madison freshman Elisabeth Esikoff said her sister frequently used the SAFEwalk program when she attended the university and found it helpful after a long night at the bars.
Because of her sister's positive experience with SAFEwalk, Esikoff said she is more likely to use the program.
SAFE Nighttime Services, which includes SAFEwalk, was created in 1993 for students traveling on campus late at night. In addition to SAFEwalk, SAFEride Cab and SAFEride Bus are the other means of transportation offered to students to reduce the risk of the inherent dangers of traveling alone at night.
Goemans said SAFE Nighttime Services promotes the program whenever possible with posters, chalk writing on the sidewalks and ""a lot of effort during SOAR.""
The SAFEwalk program is available from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., while SAFEride and SAFEride Bus are available from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
But Goemans indicated there are some restrictions. Students are allowed eight SAFErides per month and only one per night, only two people are allowed to use a SAFEride cab at once and it is important to bring a student ID.
To order a SAFE Nightime Service call 262-5000.
