A recent report by Slippery Rock University's campus police has revealed that instances of certain crimes on campus such as aggravated assault, forcible sex offenses and drug law violations have been continuously increasing since 2008.
Reports of forcible sex offenses on campus have increased from two in 2008 to four in 2010, all of which occurred in the residence halls. According to Chief Michael Simmons of SRU's police department, only one of these sexual assaults was reported to campus police.
In the other three cases, the information was provided by SRU's Women's Center and no further action was taken at the request of the victims. Since these instances were reported, the police department has offered Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training to provide self-defense instruction and educational awareness against rape and violent crime.
Last year, 19 arrests were made on campus for drug law violations, 13 of which were in the residence halls, which was a significant increase from a mere seven in 2008. According to Simmons, more arrests are being made for drug law violations because of better training of staff on campus.
"We believe there has been an increase in drug law violations due to better training of staff and CA's who are reporting more incidents so that intervention can take place," Simmons said.
Since joining SRU's police force, Simmons has started a community oriented policing initiative known as the Adopt-A-Hall program. The program partners officers and campus safety with residence halls in an attempt to increase communication and build trust between students and the SRU police department.
"Having regular contact with residence hall staff and students allows officers to relay concerns of the students to applicable police department divisions, conduct crime prevention programs and create a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to policing," Simmons said.
According to Kevin Currie, the director of residence life, everyone who lives in the residence halls plays a part in ensuring the safety of those living there, and there are many initiatives in place to help assure the safety of all residents. One of these initiatives is the card readers that can be seen at every residence hall entrance.
"We know that students often "tailgate" into the residence halls, by following another student into the building while the door is open," Currie said. "While it may not seem polite, students need to recognize their part in ensuring their safety by using their card to gain access every time they enter and not letting people tailgate into the building after them. "
Currie also believes that the increase in the number of crimes can be attributed to more students reporting them.
"Our Community Assistants receive specific training about reporting crimes, as well as general student concerns to staff so that interventions can occur," he said. "This, to me, is a sign that our staff and residents are taking an increased interest and are recognizing their part in assuring the safety of the community as a whole. "
Nichole Young, a junior dance major, expressed her opinion on crime prevention at SRU.
"I think the crime rate has risen in the residence halls and on campus because there is a larger volume of students attending SRU, so there is less monitoring of student activity," she said. "I think to prevent these crimes in the future, we should have increased security on campus, such as more video cameras to catch the crimes being committed."
Young said that she has formerly taken self defense classes offered at a summer program in Columbus, Ohio.
"I feel that I am better equipped to handle a situation in which my safety is in danger," she said. "These classes have greatly benefitted me."
Erin Lankes, a senior secondary English education major, thinks that residence hall rules should be better communicated to the students.
"Maybe emails could be sent before students arrive on campus, and then those rules can be reviewed during floor meetings," she said. "More cameras could be installed in the residence halls."
"Students need to learn to become more aware of their actions," Lankes said. "Maybe residence halls can set up an anonymous tip box or phone line so students can report crimes that occur directly in their buildings."
According to Simmons, the key to crime prevention is education. Everyone needs to take responsibility for his or her own safety and for the safety of others on campus. Simmons offered the following information to students and others:
Listen to and act on your intuition. It's better to be safe and risk a little embarrassment than stay in an uncomfortable situation that may be unsafe.
Do not walk alone at night. Don't wear headphones while walking or jogging. Carry your cell phone in your hand. Call University Police for a campus escort at 724-738-3333.
Keep your eyes and ears open and your hands free. Be aware of your surroundings.
Tell someone where you'll be and what time you're supposed to return, or if you'll be with someone you don't know well.
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