Froggie Five-0 is allowing men on campus to use the escort service, but under a few conditions.
TCU Chief of Police Steve McGee said Froggie Five-0 is allowing men on campus to use the service only if they are alone and feel unsafe. He said they have always given men rides on a case-by-base basis.
“If guys are in groups, we probably won’t [pick them up] but if they’re by themselves, we’re asking our drivers to go ahead and give them rides,” he said. “Froggie Five-0 is a safety issue, it’s not a convenience issue.”
McGee said he is trying to make it a routine to pick up male students, but they are going to ease into it. Women will still have priority, but if a man calls and he is alone, he will now be given a ride.
“I’ve seen plenty of people that definitely need a ride home from later on at night, besides just women,” senior supply and chain management major Nick Hawes said.
In the past two months, there have been at least two robberies of male students near campus. One incident involved a handgun.
As Froggie Five-0 is slowly starting to allow men to use the service, students have split reactions to the change of operations.
“I’m a little torn on it,” senior strategic communication major Melissa DeGrand said. “If it’s going to take a seat away from a female I would say no, because you know females, they’re probably gonna get attacked more often.”
Senior strategic communication major Kai Tuma said the concern about the safety of all students should be a priority, not just the safety of women. She said she believes everyone is susceptible to crime.
Crime Prevention Officer Pam Christian said Froggie Five-0 started more than 15 years ago due to several sexual assaults against female students that occurred around campus.
Since then, Froggie Five-0 has provided rides for women at the university if they felt unsafe.
Until it becomes routine for men to use Froggie Five-0, both men and women have the option to use the university shuttle system. The shuttle runs until 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 4 a.m. the rest of the week.
Students can call 817-257-7777 for Froggie Five-0 services or to use the shuttle.