Since the beginning of this semester, St. Lawrence University has seen an alarming increase in vandalism throughout residential areas. Both employees and students have grown weary with the rising risk of damages and concerns for student safety.

While vandalism is not a new issue in residence halls, the recent surge in activity is accompanied by a new risk. Particularly, the focus of this wave has been fire safety equipment.

“The fire safety equipment within any building is provided solely for the protection and early warning to all the occupants,” stated Bill Ritchie, Coordinator of Environmental Health and Safety. “Any disabling of or damage to fire safety equipment could not only jeopardize the well-being of the person involved but impact the well-being of all occupants of the building.” 

Fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and exit signs are just a few of the items which fall under the heading of fire safety equipment. These, as well as other items, have all been damaged relatively frequently this semester.

“All vandalism creates extra work for facilities and an inconvenience for other students in the community,” says Stacie Olney LaPierre, Senior Associate Director of Residence Life. “Of particular concern however is all of the recent damage to fire safety equipment. This includes many broken exit lights and signs, missing and damaged fire extinguishers, and tampering with the valve connections on the sprinkler system.”

When these items are destroyed or broken, it poses a threat to the community in the case of an emergency. Exit signs contain live electrical wires, which can be dangerous when exposed. Fire extinguishers are highly pressurized, and if punctured, can explode and severely harm anyone in the vicinity.

“For me, I have seen an increase in vandalism on party nights,” says Jerome Saliba ’20, a Community Assistant in Rebert, “It seems that a lot of it is not about vandalising expensive things but more about ‘leaving a mark.’” 

“One thing I find to be particularly annoying is when people intentionally clog toilets,” Saliba continues. “The main reason I have issues with that is because it’s disrespectful to custodians. They shouldn’t have to deal with that crap. Some of them in Rebert are in their 70s and they have to unclog a toilet because you want to be an asshole.”

On top of the safety concerns, these damages pose a legal concern as well. New York State Fire Code states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant, fire detection and alarm system, fire suppression system or other fire appliance required by this code except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training purposes, recharging or making necessary repairs or where approved by the fire code official.”

Likewise, the St. Lawrence University Student Handbook cites any tampering with fire safety equipment as a violation of University policy. Students caught damaging this equipment are subject to a $250 fine and possibly other disciplinary action. Fines may also be assessed for damages caused in relation to any vandalism.

While the impact of these incidents is severe, even smaller acts of vandalism can be distressing in communities. Destruction in bathrooms, hallways, and other common spaces can lead to fines and cause concern in residential areas. 

“It’s frustrating when I get back to my dorm and realize that the bulletin boards are ripped down or that the fire extinguisher has been ripped off its holder,” Brittanie Gordon ’21, a Community Assistant in Dean Eaton Hall explains. “CAs spend so much time on these boards, and to have all that effort ripped away was heartbreaking for me.”

Fellow CA Celine Schreiber agreed with this sentiment. “What really hurts us is if we see people tear down things we made, because you can clearly see that someone put time, energy, and effort into making these to make the dorm a friendly home,” she said frustratedly. “Tearing them down is like saying, ‘yeah, I see your effort and I don’t give a shit.’” 

While vandalism of all kinds can have a number of negative effects on a community, the immediate threat to safety posed by damaged fire equipment is of the utmost concern. Bill Ritchie and others hope students can limit these damages going forward. 

“Remember,” he says, “these fire safety features are installed and maintained to provide early detection and notification to save your life. Tampering with this fire safety equipment today could change your life forever tomorrow.”