Threats, swatting calls and hoaxes are on the rise at college campuses across the country. Calls about gunmen and other forms of violence have left students hiding in fear. With these incidents becoming more frequent, concerns about campus safety and security are increasing. It’s not just a question of “Am I safe on campus?” but “Who are the people protecting me?”
President Dyrell Foster said the school has made significant strides to be ready in case of an emergency.
“We’ve invested a lot of time and resources in emergency preparedness, in our communication and in identifying our emergency operations center,” Foster said. “It’s a work in progress — it’s not perfect — but we’re intentional about it.”
On Thursday, Sept. 11, following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and other public campus shootings, several historically Black colleges and universities temporarily closed due to threats. Police later determined those threats were false. Many of the threats targeting Historical Black Colleges and Universities are racially motivated, intended to disrupt and intimidate.
In light of the alarming rise in school shootings, law enforcement agencies must treat all threats as credible until proven otherwise.
Colleges are now prioritizing being prepared for emergencies. Ensuring that students and staff know what to do — and have access to resources to keep themselves safe — is essential. Despite claims from many colleges, including LPC, the practice of active student involvement in understanding how to protect themselves and others seems to be absent.
From a student’s perspective, it’s easy to say there is a sense of security on the LPC campus during emergencies. However, certain aspects still remain unsettling.
During an annual emergency lockdown drill during the Spring 2025 semester, we got the notification that the school was going into lockdown. Campus doors automatically locked. Students outside of the cafeteria were pulling on doors that would not open because of the central security locking system.
In a real emergency, those students would be locked out and in harm’s way. Nobody inside would have any idea how to help them, nor themselves.
Foster was informed that many students were unsure what to do during lockdown drills. In response to the situation, he made a note to highlight the importance of improving student education and awareness.
“We communicate what (a drill) is and what’s happening, but in terms of protocol and giving action steps, I think that would be helpful for students,” Foster said. “Our next phase is to educate students on what to do if you’re in a common space and no one’s around.”
While there are efforts made to ensure the safety of students in case of an emergency, there is room to grow. Students may question how well they can trust our campus security officers and their intentions towards protecting them.
Peter Kuo, professor in the Graphic Design and Digital Media department, noted the challenges of managing the visibility of security personnel.
“It’s tricky — you don’t want it to give off the vibe that you’re being surveilled,” Kuo said. “But also, when you see security, it means it’s safer. It’s kind of a double-edged sword.”
Visibility of campus security can be concerning to some. Their presence is to ensure the campus is prepared for potential emergencies — students who have had less than favorable encounters with campus security may feel uncomfortable. Aaliyah Gholamipour, Art and Marketing Mentor for the JAMS program, faced an unsettling experience with campus security that has left lingering feelings of frustration and disappointment. On Feb. 26, 2025, Gholamipour’s mother — who is disabled and uses the campus’s designated disabled parking spaces — was dropping them off for class. Campus Security Officer Hakim Ghiassy became curious about their mother’s purpose being on campus. Ghiassy exited his vehicle and approached Gholamipour’s car, beginning to question their mother.
He asked “Is that actually your placard?” This is a legal question.
As well as “Are you actually disabled?” This is certainly not a legal question.
Ghiassy commented that he had observed Gholamipour’s mother for a couple of weeks and felt compelled to confront her based on “concerns” he could not find the words to express. After Gholamipour returned to their mother’s car, Ghiassy made an inappropriate comment to Gholamipour’s mother, taunting, “Ooh, look, your backup’s here!”
On April 2, the same pattern occurred, but this time Ghiassy stopped Gholamipour’s mother in the middle of the parking lot aisle. A passerby, assumed to be another student, yelled at Ghiassy to “Stop harassing people!” Ghiassy retorted, “This is none of your business!”
“It’s hard to communicate the anguish and ridicule these instances have brought me. It’s impossible to walk from my mom’s car to class without surveying the landscape for his presence,” said Gholamipour.
Gholamipour’s mother does not fit the profile of someone who is disabled — her disabilities are, for the most part, invisible. Ghiassy felt urged to question Gholamipour’s mother’s validity based on his own prejudice.
Gholamipour said, “I’m aware of the disrespect and erasure our communities (the disabled community) receive. I just never expected such to happen at Las Positas College.”
Another student, Brandon Torrano, a member of the video staff at The Express, was threatened by LPC campus security when asking for access to a classroom at 6 a.m. for a camera tripod that he needed to report on an event on campus.
The security officer refused Torrano access even after confirming that both the professor and the dean of the department frequently allowed Torrano access.
“He had had enough as I kept asking simple questions, not raising my voice. He raised his voice and told me to give him my information,” Torrano said. “He told me that not giving my information is against the law or the rule of LPC, and that by not giving him my name and info, he will trespass me, a student who also had a class that day.”
The unnamed campus security continued to berate Torrano and threatened to call the local police department on the student to have him arrested. Torrano left the security office to de-escalate the situation, and for his own safety.
“If security or anyone of some sort of authority asks you for your information, make sure to ask them if you have to give it to them, or make sure you know the rules and laws, so you can protect yourself and not fall for any tricks, excuses, or loopholes they might use,” Torrano answered when asked if he has any advice for any other students on campus.
While campus security’s presence is meant to keep students and faculty safe, it is difficult to feel at ease when many experiences leave a negative impression.
The expectation that campus security officers will approach students with trust and respect — only for them to treat students with disrespect and harassment — highlights a profound flaw within our campus system. This disconnect signals an urgent need for improvement to create an environment where students feel safe and respected.
***
TOP PHOTO: LPC Campus Safety going on their usual patrol rounds on Sept.25. The officers walk around issuing tickets to vehicle owners in Parking Lot E in front of the Multidisciplinary building. (Photo by Sam Barnes/The Express)
Milo Jones is a staff writer for The Express.
