Campus SOS: Stories of security

One of the most vital departments on Seattle Central’s campus is Campus Security, a small compact unit led by Sean Chesterfield. They are responsible for campus safety drills, first aid, and Emergency alerts. As the team that protects Central, they have had numerous experiences throughout their career.

The Campus Security office also programs ID cards. If an ID card does not work at a certain door, Campus Security can help you out by quickly reprogramming it for you.

Now for the main part of the story, Joel Workinger is a Campus Security Officer who has been a part of Seattle Central since 2001, which is over two decades of work experience at our campus. Joel has many stories to share, so to start with a bang, let’s rehash the case of the AK-47 machine gun. A few years ago, a person came onto the campus with an AK rifle; Campus Security then noticed it, carefully disarmed the man, and intimated the police. He was then arrested and prosecuted.

Workinger stated that in his career here, he has also witnessed two people who were deceased on campus, although not inside the buildings. They were not students, just individuals who just happened to have passed away at Central. Workinger has also witnessed drive-by shootings. He highlighted that the safety concerns never involved students; it was just the fault of the locality in which the campus happens to be in.

Despite these stories, Central has always been a happy place for Workinger, as he gets to learn a lot from students, “especially international students,” claims Workinger, “and our culinary students, who keep us well fed.” He has had happy moments where students come back after 10 years, surprised yet delighted to see him on campus, and enlighten him with stories of their families, travels, and careers. He feels happy to see that someone he helped in a small way comes back after years and remembers him prominently as part of their journey at Central.

Moving on to a more recent story, the devastation of the glass wall at the Campus Security office.  A seemingly obvious conclusion everyone jumps to is that it was broken into or at least an attempt was made. However, the true story is far less interesting. Truth be told by Workinger, Campus Security had installed a television, the screw of which got loose. The television fell off the wall, bounced off the counter, and crashed into the glass wall, hence breaking it. Workinger said that as it happened at night, no one was around, and no one got hurt. 

Workinger has advice for students “if you see something, say something,” as numerous times Campus Security has been alerted by tips from students and faculty. At the end of the day the security staff is here to get people out of trouble, not to get them in trouble for ratting someone out. Workinger also recommends that students download the Rave Guardian app to get updates on any emergencies on campus.

Workinger also mentioned the development on campus over the years. In earlier years, all the doors would be wide open, and now they need key card access, which keeps students safer. He also asks students to stay alert and not panic during training drills for situations like fires, earthquakes, etc. 

This article is not meant to scare you but to reassure you that the team here is well-equipped to handle situations and is here to protect you. Quoting Workinger, “We don’t do a whole lot. We don’t save the world, but maybe a little bit,” and he certainly is protecting our little world. To conclude, Workinger mentioned, “Seattle Central is a great place to be; I have been here over 20 years; we’re here because we want to be here, so rest assured we will be here for you.”