What is going on ‘In Da Club’ with safety?

Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White / Associate Editor

I am from a city that is well known and very popular for its nightlife, Atlanta, Ga. Now, my friends are all very active in the clubbing scene but I just don’t find myself too interested in that. Can you guys please tell me what’s so good about going out to nightclubs?

Yes, I know that hitting the club usually provides an atmosphere of fun, entertainment and escape from the pressures of school and work. But often, the last thing on the minds of the club-goers is, “Does this spot have enough security? Or, are there enough exits in case of a fight or a fire?

We all know that many times the unexpected happens: an earthquake, a fire, a chemical spill, an act of terrorism or some other disaster. When these things occur, people are suddenly aware of how fragile their lives can be. Each disaster can have lasting affects – people may be seriously injured or killed, and devastating and costly property damage can occur. I am assuming that a big part of your college experience takes place outside the classroom and I caution my fellow classmates to be more aware of their personal safety.

Only 10 days ago, a fire swept through a popular nightclub in Brazil killing at least 233 people, enough to fill a large plane.  Many apparently died from smoke inhalation. Others were trampled in the rush for the exits, according to one security guard in a CNN.com report.  More than 90 people were hospitalized. The Kiss nightclub is popular with young people in Santa Maria, Brazil which is home to a number of universities and colleges, including the Federal University of Santa Maria. At least 80 of those killed in the club were students at that school.

To my knowledge, there have been no instances of club fires in any of the local nightclubs that Jackson State University students attend, but there have been many cases of shootings and fights that have resulted in injury or death.

I will just name a few because there are too many to name them all.  On Dec. 9, 2012, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) reported that they were investigating the death of a 24-year-old Haitian exchange student who was found with several gashes on his body down the street from Freelons, a popular downtown nightclub frequented by many JSU students.

On Feb. 5 2012, JPD reported that a man opened fire inside the Tropicana Jackson night club near JSU on Terry Road, shooting his ex-girlfriend after witnesses say she refused to dance with him.

On, Feb.12, 2012, JPD reported that a man was shot twice in the chest inside Couples Nightclub on Bird Drive.  On March 28, 2012 JPD investigated two homicides that happened outside of Club Hall of Fame in West Jackson on Highway 80.

These shocking and tragic events should make the college club-goers ask themselves “how safe are the clubs in Jackson?”

After posing this question to some of my fellow classmates, most replied that the clubs as well as the area that the clubs are in are not safe at all. I was told of multiple accounts of people who were involved in fights or witnessed fights and club security did not intervene but the altercations were stopped by other club-goers. Some people have even said they saw club security move away from the fights.  It’s hard to say how many fights have erupted in Jackson clubs because many are not reported to the police unless they evolve into more serious incidents.

I believe that the Student Government Association should do more in providing on campus parties for students with JSU security to prevent the need for students to have to seek out this entertainment elsewhere.

But regardless of where you choose to party, be aware of your surroundings and the people who attend that particular spot.  Do not get me wrong, I want you to have a good time, but as college students we have to remember our main goal is to receive an education while being as safe as possible.

The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.