By Jeff Rost
Donald M. Agen, investigator/ university police student
assistants (UPSA) supervisor, calculates that last semester
alone the Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) helped 150 people.
The main goal of the free program offered by the Buffalo
State university police is to assist people who can’t
get their car started.
Aid may come in the form of a jump-start, providing tools,
offering gas, phone, etc. All a person has to do for MAP
service is call (716) 878-6333, or use a campus blue-light
phone and the MAP truck will be sent out.
The program also provides another key service other than
assisting those with motor vehicle problems. Although there
is no statistical evidence to prove it, Agen says he has
noticed a decrease in crime since the MAP service began
nearly four years ago. He believes the MAP truck driving
around campus acts as a deterrent from thieves and criminals.
Agen has one major problem with the program. That is few
people know about the MAP. The service is posted online
at the university police’s Web site, as well as, printed
in the “Welcome to Buffalo State” pamphlet handed
out to first-year students. Otherwise, there is no formal
way to inform students.
Carrie Lynch, Buffalo State student, was one of the many
people who did not know of the program’s existence.
After being interviewed, Lynch was pleased to now know of
the service’s existence.
“This is a great service, especially for those people
who don’t have AAA, or have older cars,” says
Lynch.
Perspective student Steve Dillsworth was happy to know such
a service existed.
“If for some reason my car doesn’t start while
I’m on campus in the future, I know now there will
be someone there to help me,” said Dillsworth.
For the time being, Agen believes the MAP service is an
excellent program that fulfills 90 percent of peoples’
needs. For MAP hours go to http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/police/services/default.asp?sub=map.
Email: rostjw06@mail.buffalostate.edu
Links:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/police/services/default.asp?sub=map
http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/police/
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