The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Graphic courtesy of Liv Ream; movie flyer from IMDB
In defense of Skinamarink
By Liv Ream, Arts and Entertainment Editor • October 1, 2023
Alternative Spring Break 2023 volunteers in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Natalie Mowad.
Applications open for Akron’s 2024 Alternative Spring Break
By Taylor Lorence, Correspondent • October 1, 2023
The Northern Cheyenne tribe and community walking the ancient Portage Path from Portage Path CLC to the John Brown Home during a previous years First Peoples Day event. Photo courtesy of Portage Path Collaborative.
UA Holds events in celebration of North American First People’s Day   
By Shananne Lewis, Online Editor • September 28, 2023
White swan on water during daytime photo - Free Uk Image on Unsplash
The Swan's Rapture: a poem
By Emily Price, editor in chief • September 27, 2023
Desperately Seeking an Amazon Fighter, sculpture by Kimberly Chapman
"Easy Prey" art exhibit on display at Myers School of Art
By Taylor Lorence, Reporter, Secretary • September 21, 2023
“On the left, there’s me at work! I received the New Student Orientation “Gold Standard” award alongside 
and at the same time as my friend Gillian.”
Courtesy of Connor VanMaele
Fall 2023 Print Edition: Going the Distance
By Connor VanMaele, Correspondent • September 19, 2023
L to R: Steve Horner, Heather Barhorst, Haley Kuczynski, Shawna Blankenship, Brynley Harris, Jessie Redwine at the Pop-Up Pantry. Image Courtesy of ZipAssist.
ZipAssist Holds Community Resource Fair Tuesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the SU 2nd Floor
By Shananne Lewis, Correspondent • September 18, 2023
Film critic Liv Ream and friend pose for photo (Image via Liv Ream)
My Barbie experience
By Liv Ream, Film Critic • September 17, 2023

Our View

“Jaywalking on Exchange Street is a problem. We don’t like it. Crossing Exchange Street is just plain difficult. But giving students written warnings and harassing them for jaywalking isn’t the solution. Unfortunately, it’s the solution that the university and Akron police departments have chosen.”

Jaywalking on Exchange Street is a problem.

We don’t like it. Crossing Exchange Street is just plain difficult. But giving students written warnings and harassing them for jaywalking isn’t the solution.

Unfortunately, it’s the solution that the university and Akron police departments have chosen.

A Buchtelite reporter was told that in the future, there may be a traffic patrol officer on Exchange Street.

But do we really want to pay someone to regulate foot traffic when we might get mugged as soon as we step foot on the sidewalk?

We’re discouraged that tax money is paying police officers to bother college students. A feasible, efficient option would be more crosswalks with walking signals.

Or a bridge. Why not? You’d only need one or two.

Maybe two.

But in the meantime, before the bridge is built, we still think the cops should stop harassing us about jaywalking.

Some people may view it as a safety concern. For who? It’s not as if jay-walkers want to get hit by a car.

We trust ourselves crossing the street. We may have come close to death a few times, but we’ve always made it across safely.

And if an accident were to occur, the jay-walker would take the worst of it. If college students feel safe crossing Exchange Street or want to put their lives on the line, they should go for it. If they’re willing to do that, will the threat of a ticket really stop them?

No. College students are daredevils, and jaywalking is the quickest way to get to campus.

Besides, with all the recent crime on and around campus, it’s best not to linger on the other side of Exchange. It’s best not to linger outside at all, especially since a student was robbed at gunpoint last Sunday afternoon on campus.

So jaywalking may actually be safer than waiting for the traffic light. You’ve got to weigh your options.

Brave the traffic, or become a sitting duck.

If it’s dark outside, we’re definitely going to brave the traffic. Probably safer.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All comments that are well-informed, civil and relevant to the story are welcome. To leave a comment, please provide your name and email address. The Editorial Board reserves to right to remove any comment that is submitted under false pretenses or includes personal attacks, libel, hate speech, profanity, spam or inaccurate/misleading information. All comments are screened and are generally approved unless they are found to be found in violation of these standards. Readers who notice comments that appear to violate these standards are encouraged to contact the Online Editor at [email protected].
All The Buchtelite Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *