1. Sheridan security’s new vehicles prom-
ise that the future is now.
Like something out of a science-fic-
tion novel, these tall, three-wheeled
chariots are strange to look at for a sim-
ple reason: the driver stands.
“It feels weird because you’re stand-
ing, but you’re going pretty fast,” said
Scott Hough, who has been part of
Sheridan security’s mobile unit for two
years.
These space-age people-movers are
called Sentinel PMVs. Primary Re-
sponse, the security company currently
under contract with Sheridan, has in-
stalled two of them at Sheridan – one at
Trafalgar, and one at Davis.
They top off at a whopping 25 km/h,
and although it looks like a Segway,
there are minor differences. It has a
third wheel at the front, a full shield
covering the operator’s lower body and
doesn’t require the operator to lean
their body weight to steer.
Hough says he understands that stu-
dents and faculty may snicker at the
sight of a guard driving a PMV, but be-
lieves it will ultimately increase safety
awareness.
“Because of how bizarre looking it is,
I think more people will notice it than
the other vehicles,” said Hough, before
adding that it’s the quietest vehicle they
operate, which ultimately increases the
guard’s alertness due to the simple fact
that they can hear better.
Andrew Lee, 30, a Sheridan securi-
ty guard of eight years, agrees that its
quietness is a contributing factor to ex-
panding the guard’s ability to effective-
ly patrol, but for a different reason.
“The UTV is kind of loud and cum-
bersome, and people can hear you com-
ing,” said Lee, who feels that this pro-
vides potential lawbreakers a warning
of security’s impending arrival.
The UTV is a four-wheeled motor-
ized vehicle that looks like a cross be-
tween an ATV and golf cart, and is one
of three vehicles Sheridan security has
in its artillery – the other two being a bi-
cycle and a Jeep SUV.
At the end of last year, Primary Re-
sponse was looking to implement a
new vehicle, something that was low-
speed and environmentally friendly,
according to Kris Dowlatshahi, securi-
ty supervisor at the Trafalgar and STC
campuses for the past 17 years.
But with a vehicle that is so distinc-
tively unorthodox, questions of its po-
tential benefits and practicality come
into play.
“It’s not a question of benefit, it’s
more that each one has its own uses,”
he said.
Dowlatshahi believes the PMV is an
ideal addition because it complements
the other existing vehicles, especially
the bicycle.
For example, the bicycle can go up
hills in the forest, but after a few hours
it’s only natural for the guard’s legs to
tire. The PMV cannot go up hills in the
forest, but it can manoeuvre with more
agility in the parking lot than the bicy-
cle, and does not tire the operator as
quickly.
The change seems to have been wel-
comed with open arms and a smile by
the security guards at Sheridan, how-
ever. As Scott Hough puts it, they are
careful to keep in mind that “it’s a tool,
not a toy.”
SPENCER LUYBEN
#thesheridansun Sept. 11 - Sept. 17 2014 3
Improvedpatrols
photographbyspencerluyben
After nine years, Sheridan College is
reintroducing a cross country running
team to its athletic program this fall.
Athletic director Jim Flack’s first act
to restore cross country at Sheridan is
hiring new head coach James Bulhman.
“He has an excellent work ethic as a
coach and we’re confidant he can help
build cross country at Sheridan back
to what it was in the early ‘90s,” said
Flack.
Buhlman’s background in col-
lege sports includes a period where
he was head coach of Seneca Col-
lege’s cross country team. Before
that he was involved with athletics in
P.E.I., B.C., and also coached men’s
basketball at Redeemer College.
Buhlman will also coach both the men’s
and women’s teams this year.
“Cross country is one of the top com-
peting sports in colleges across Cana-
da,” said Flack. “It’s the only sport the
college has right now that doesn’t focus
so much on the team but the individ-
ual.”
In 1995 the college had to cut the
cross country program due to then-On-
tario premier Mike Harris initiating his
Common Sense Revolution Plan. Col-
leges across Ontario, including Sher-
idan, had to cut several athletic pro-
grams.
Before the program was cut, the
men’s team won three OCAA champi-
onships along with one championship
coming from the women’s team.
The men’s team had also placed sec-
ond and third in OCAA with the wom-
en’steamattainingasecondplacefinish.
With the return of cross country, Sher-
idan now has 10 teams at the college,
both men’s and women’s.
Varsity marketing coordinator Ryan
Kelly is responsible for advertising
cross country to the college and com-
munity and having it be just as involved
with the team as other varsity sports.
“The one thing I like about cross
country is that it is a universal sport,”
said Kelly.
“It’s something that isn’t focused to-
wards one group of people and really
tries to include everyone.”
Unlike basketball or volleyball, cross
country can focus on an individual’s
success and does not require every
member of the team to be exceptionally
well at running long-distances.
“Our goal right now is to promote
awareness to the college about the cross
country team so hopefully we can have
a great student turnout at events like we
do with basketball, soccer, and rugby.”
The marketing team gets a number
of requests from the communities sur-
rounding the three campuses to have
their varsity teams and the Bruins mas-
cot to appear at local events.
To help promote the return of the pro-
gram, the cross country team will join
Oakville’s Terry Fox run on Sept 14.
Security segues into
safety patrol on scooters
Varsity cross country program is off and running
The Sheridan Sun is published weekly throughout the
school year by students in the Sheridan Journalism
Program. The Sun is a member of the Ontario Commu-
nity Newspapers Association (OCNA).
The Sun welcomes the submission of articles, pictures,
and letters to the editor - particularly those expressing
opinions that differ from those on these pages. Articles
and letters should be no more than 250 words.
For advertising rates, contact: Kathy Muldoon, (905)
845-9430 ext. 2403, kathy.muldoon@sheridanc.on.ca
Rate cards available.
MIKHAIL HELLER
sheridan
sunthesheridansun.ca
sheridan
sunthesheridansun.ca
Andrew Lee has been working as a mobile security guard at Sheridan for the
past eight years, and says he welcomes the rest from pedalling a bike.
Mail: Sheridan College, Trafalgar Campus, 1430 Trafalgar Road,
Oakville, ON, L6H 2L1;
Phone: (905) 845-9430, ext. 8581 Fax: (905) 815-4010
E-mail: sheridan.sun@sheridanc.on.ca
Print Journalism Program Co-ordinator: Nathan Mallett
Supervising instructors: Denni Freedman, Kathy Muldoon
Copy Editors: Alison Dunn, Kevin MacLean, Meredith MacLeod
Managing editor: Chris Coutts
Digital editor: Jeanylyn Lopez
News editor:Vanessa Gillis
Layout editors: Dana Boyington,WIll Dixon, Filipe Dos Santos,
Jonathan Ferguson, Linda Hermiz, Daryll Hinves, Dylan Paisley,
Stephanie Alba