In the wake of a recent crime surge on and near campus, Campus Safety and Security has taken new proactive measures to reduce current crime levels.
Many students, however, feel the efforts are misguided and do more to alienate the student body than protect them.
Last Saturday's armed robbery took place off campus, on the 3900 block of Canterbury Road, two blocks North of campus. A male on foot robbed a Hopkins senior at gunpoint.
Several crimes occurred closer to Homewood including three unarmed robberies, an attempted unarmed robbery leading to an arrest, and a theft from an automobile. One after another, two graduate students were assaulted by what appears to bethe same group of ten to 15 males. A part-time graduate student was also arrested for assaulting a non-affiliate of the University.
Lt. Steven Ossmus, investigations coordinator of security services, said, "By reporting crimes on Campus Safety and Security's 'Daily Crime Report,' we alert and educate the Hopkins community of crimes."
He added, "By including safety tips in this report and in the security Web site, we further inform readers of steps to take which will assist in keeping them from becoming a potential victim."
Sophomore Bonnie Wang said she feels safe on some parts of campus but others need some attention. "MSE Library and the Hut are fine, but when I have to walk past Shriver down that alley near the back of the BMA, I'm scared badly."
She added, "The problem is there's no lights; even if I saw a security guard, I wouldn't know who it was. Also, the Mattin Center seems deserted at night."
Another female student said, "I think its good that Hopkins does something for us but some of the new security is a little bit ridiculous and a waste. It could be used better elsewhere."
Ossmus, however, sees every step as necessary. "Our primary focus is to provide a safe and secure environment for the students, faculty and staff at Hopkins," he said.
A growing concern among students has been the escalation of bike thefts near MSE Library. Ossmus said that students can be proactive in protecting their property.
"As a result of the recent bicycle thefts, we increased security coverage at and around bicycle racks, informed students of our progress and purchased a number of good quality U-bolt locks," he said.
