UnNews:Students upset about slow police response to Taylor Swift photobomb
Saturday, November 29, 2014
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Several Old Dominion University students were upset about the delay in police response to an alleged act of harassment. Several students at the university were taking a "group selfie," that is, a picture of themselves celebrating their high grades. However, one student, Mikey Fenn, called campus police after a photobomb occurred. Fenn claimed that American pop singing sensation Taylor Swift jumped into the photo of the students without their consent. Fenn had the following to say after the incident:
“ | I mean, she just came out of nowhere and BAM! Right into our photo. Just came in there without our permission. I mean, who does she think she is? Just because she has like millions of dollars and like trillions of fans... does that gives her the right to trespass in our university and just jump in whatever picture she feels like? I mean this is a free country and all, but what gives? | ” |
After Fenn noticed the photobomb, he proceeded to call campus police and tell them that there was a trespasser in his proximity. When asked by police to describe the trespasser, he noted that it was the famous pop star, and Fenn claimed that police were reluctant to act upon the call due to its seemingly frivolous nature; they suspected it was a typical college prank. His friend Brianna Smith then talked to campus police in hopes to validate Fenn's story, but police simply refused to act upon the call. Smith begged police to come as they were worried about their safety due to the unwelcome guest lingering on the campus. It was reported that Smith forced her boyfriend, Randall MacDonald, to stay at the local Taco Bell until the incident has been resolved due to the safety concerns of the students.
Fenn's friend Johnny Landon, who seemed rather nonchalant about the incident, said this:
“ | I mean, it isn't such a big deal. Smoking hot chick takes a selfie. Happens all the time, you know what I'm saying? | ” |
However, Fenn and Smith seemed insistent on getting a response from police, and it was reported that Landon's pizza arrived before police did. When police did respond, almost two hours after the initial call by Fenn, they forced Swift off the campus due to lack of a guest permit. Fenn and Smith called for Swift to be prosecuted, but police refused, instead suggesting that the students simply retake the selfie in Swift's absence.
The students are protesting the police department, calling for tighter security measures on campus and preventing trespassers from the university. Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Rick Platon, agreed with the students saying
“ | You see, this university should be a place for learning. People here should enlighten their minds. There is no reason for these superficial distractions. Students should not have to deal with the presence of anti-intellectual figures trying to fill their minds with intrinsically devoid poppycock. The police should have simply done their duty and apprehended the trespasser. There was no reason for the lackluster response. You see these things in urban areas such as Detroit all the time, but there is absolutely no reason for that here. They are well paid and well staffed, and they need to simply do their jobs. They get paid to protect, and I get paid to think. We should just do our jobs. | ” |
Students and parents have taken outrage toward the incident placing the lives of students in jeopardy. One concerned parent, Mary Bowen, said
“ | Why don't these police do anything about security? They're letting anybody on this campus. I just don't get it. Why in the world is this happening? So, let's just have little old anybody waltz in and try to harm the kids? I mean, I sure wouldn't want a crazy cat lady around my kids! They need to fix this now! | ” |
Old Dominion University's President John R. Broderick has refused to respond, so it remains unclear whether the security at the university will address the issue. Some at the university proposed changing the definition of "trespassing" to include only those without power and influence.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Erica Greenway "Students upset over delay in ODU sexual assault alert" WTKR, November 12, 2014
- Lori Mitchell "Taylor Swift photobombs family portraits in Nashville park" WNCN, November 12, 2014