Do You Feel SAFE on Campus?

A survey of 155 students on campus safety had the following results:

-Yes, I feel very safe. — 6%
-Somewhat. Sometimes I feel unsafe. — 79%
-No, I never feel safe. — 15%

NEGATIVE SIDE OF CAMPUS SAFETY

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The University of Illinois: home to an undefeated football team, the best women’s volleyball team in the nation, successful students, preeminent teachers and notable alumni. Our list of credentials here at U of I is long and impressive and has earned us the title of one of the best public universities in the country. There’s one work in progress on that list however, and that’s the issue of campus safety. The growing number of thefts, assaults and robberies is not only giving our school a bad name, its creating a scary environment to live in and instilling fear in the students on campus.
 
Being on campus during the day has never fazed me; since freshman year I have felt completely comfortable amongst my peers in the safety of the daylight. However, when faced with the situation of walking around alone, I think twice. We can all remember a time when our parents reminded us to be careful at night, but was anyone ever warned to be alert during the day? The crime on campus has become such an issue that the assaults and altercations are being recorded at all hours of the day…including the morning! After the sexual assault in the Forbes bathroom last year at 10:55 in the morning, the University began to hand out rape whistles and several students invested in pepper spray. In more recent events, a video of a robbery (involving a gun) at 4:19 pm on a sunny Monday afternoon made headlines all over campus. Is it just me or are we receiving crime alerts every other day?
 
Last year, the crime had gotten so out of control that people were becoming desensitized to the stories they read in their emails, myself included. The lack of police authority became the butt of jokes around campus.  However, as this year goes on, and crime alerts are once again filling our inbox, the locations are closer to home and unfortunately, the victims are people that we know. All of the sudden the, “it could never happen to me” idea is thrown out the window. Simple tasks like taking money out of the ATM and running to the parking lot to get something out of your car is a big ordeal because no one wants to go anywhere alone. Not only have we lost our sense of safety, but our lack of independence has forced us to rely on others. At a time when we are supposed to be growing as individuals and learning about ourselves, our biggest worry is if we’re going to be okay walking home from the library.
 
Sources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H6BgWecVWE
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/sexual-assault-university-illinois-urbana-champaign-dorm-forbes-hall-bathroom-20101109
http://www.facebook.com/UIUCPublicSafety?v=wall
 

POSITIVE SIDE OF CAMPUS SAFETY
 
In light of the insecurities we students may feel lately on campus, this school is actively trying to make this campus safer!  The following list is just a few steps UIUC has taken towards a safer campus:

1. Safe Rides/Walks

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We know you’ve heard about it and we also know you’ve probably never used it.  However this is a great, free, resource at your disposal!  All you do is call 217-333-1216 between 9pm – 2am (3am on Fridays and Saturdays) and will come pick you up or walk you home, free of charge no, questions asked! 

2. Campus Security Officers
 
New this year, the Housing Department and the University of Illinois Police have teamed up to provide more security at your university housing.  The enhanced security provides seven full-time security officers to patrol interior and exterior areas of your residence hall.  Don’t be intimidating by the increase of officers around campus, they are truly here for our safety and have provided extras eyes and ears to help prevent crime!

3. Technology 
 
Do you what’s on top of Foellinger Auditorium? Yes, a 4 ½ feet pineapple, but there’s also something very small, the Quad Cam.  As of last Fall Semester there are now 500 on-line security cameras around campus.  Campus security’s next goal is to team up with Campustown businesses and install more cameras.  So when you wake around campus, with a friend at night of course, make you sure you’re smiling!
 
Quad Cam! http://illinois.edu/about/tours/quadCam.html
 
In lieu of using technology in the fight against offenders, check out smart phone self defense apps!  Most of them are free or $0.99 to download and do anything from emitting high pitched alarms to instantly taking a snapshot of your offender!
 
A must download app for any UIUC student – Illini Crime!  This app not only provides crime alerts, but also has an emergency call button to the police, SafeRides, or SafeWalks.

4. Illini-Alert
 
This new alert system, as of this Fall Semester, is using all sorts of online media and social networking to increase crime awareness.  You can have these alerts sent to your phone, Facebook, Twitter, and virtually anywhere you want. 
 
To learn more specifically about Illini-Alert System visit IlliniCrime.com or to sign up visit http://www.dps.uiuc.edu/emergencyplanning/alert.html.
 

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Do not be frightened by the spike in crime around campus, there are so many ways you can educate yourself to be more cautious.  The number one way in preventing crime is being aware of your surroundings and knowing the best resources in keeping yourself safe. 
 
Illinois’ Division of Public Safety and University of Illinois Police have increased and improved safety precautious immensely in the past few years. 
 
Check out the University’s security website to learn more about the above safety measures at http://www.dps.uiuc.edu/universitypolice/enhance.html.