Street Smarts

With three attacks on three students in three weeks, we are once again reminded that this campus, like anywhere in this city, is not immune from crime.

The attacks, which occurred on the edges of Main Campus on Carlisle, Diamond
and Fontaine streets, should give us all a wake up call as to why we should always make safety our No. 1 priority. Police believe that the same person perpetrated
the three incidents, described as sexual assaults and robberies. This is a reminder for each of us to practice common sense in order to keep safe as we travel in our community.

According to a letter sent to students, faculty and staff from Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Theresa Powell, Campus Police along with city police have beefed up their patrol of the area, using plain-clothes officers to aid in apprehending the suspect(s).The administration has also advised students to take heed of Campus Safety Services “Walk, Don’t Talk” program, which offers students some safety tips.

These tips are basic common sense. Keeping them in mind should come as second nature, as should concern for your own safety.

Here are a few:Don’t talk on a cell phone or listen to headphones as you walk or cross the street. This significantly lowers your awareness of your surroundings.

Don’t send text or instant messages either. But make your cell phone easily accessible, should you need to call for help.

Two words: buddy system. If you can, walk with a buddy or in a group. If not, take the Owl Loop – the university’s 24-hour, seven days-a-week shuttle service – to your destination.

We shouldn’t have to be featured on the six o’clock news in order to inspire students to take logical safety precautions.

Whether you’re in front of Temple Towers or grabbing a bite to eat from the McDonald’s on Broad, safety should be a priority and should not be taken for granted.

Campus Police in the past has done an outstanding job of keeping our surroundings
safe. It’s always reassuring to see Temple’s bike cops patrolling their beats, or the black, cherry and white patrol cars making their rounds in the community.

In spite of the unfortunate incidents,
there is no need to panic, simply a need for precaution.

Main Campus is safe and we can be assured that the men and women in blue this university hires to protect us have and will continue to do just that.