J325 Assignment-Dr. Moore's class

The following is my article for Dr. Moore's J325 class, the first of two in the semester.



Students share mixed views on campus security
By Michael Wunderlich

“Crime takes but a moment but justice an eternity.”
Those anonymous words depict the situation of many a University of South Carolina student that has experienced personal damages due to crimes committed against them or personal property on campus.
There will never be a day when every criminal will be apprehended in a timely fashion, every injustice paid for, but students and housing staff feel that there has been progress made at Carolina in dealing with on campus crime.
The month of September saw a series of high profile crimes and incidents occur on the Columbia campus.
What was described as an “all out brawl” took place in the Russell House dining area between five Gamecock football players and a group of unknown assailants suspected of having gang affiliations in the Columbia area.
Across the campus are papers showing a police sketch of an armed robbery suspect wanted for holding a USC student at gunpoint near the Sims and McClintock residence halls on September 14.
Campus police take action
In response to the recent spike in crimes, the USCPD has begun installation of security cameras throughout the campus that will monitor areas 24 hours a day.
The cameras, having been installed at various locations throughout the Columbia campus, from the Greek village to the Horseshoe and Bates parking lot are expected to be fully functional by the spring or summer.
Aside from the new cameras, there are also the traditional emergency call boxes placed around campus in case of emergency.
Campus safety progressing
Despite the recent rash of higher profile crimes that have taken place at USC, members of the Campus Housing staff feel that campus safety is improved over previous years.
“The state of campus safety has really caught up with the times we’re in,” said a Campus Housing Resident Mentor, who spoke on condition of anonymity. (Due to policy about giving interviews on campus conduct, no Campus Housing official was available for comment on the record)
“We’re becoming a lot better with dealing with mental illnesses than ever before, and although it’s not directly related to campus safety, it’s an offshoot of it I think,” the RM continued.
While the RM commented on campus safety as an improving situation, they noted nothing’s ever a perfect system.
“As an organization, housing is more reactive than anything. We can’t really prevent anything from happening.”
Recently, there has been an increase in official presence on campus, as USCPD has stepped up its involvement in patrolling the school grounds, taking preventative measures into focus.
Problems still exist
While there have been actions taken to discourage criminal activity and provide a better chance of catching criminals when they do act, students still feel there are areas of problem on campus.
“Garages and lots,” said sophomore Lyle Sweet. “I remember a friend of mine getting mugged in a lot last year.”
Sweet also remarked that earlier in the year, his car was broken into in the Horizons parking garage.
“The new parking garage hasn’t had any attendants in it to my knowledge,” said sophomore Abby Rouen.
Still other students would like to see more aggressive and hands-on steps in the form of human action and personal responsibility take form on campus.
“I would like for the campus to adopt what is done in Utah, Concealed Carry for students,” said sophomore Edward Jones. “The university is doing what it can without taking too much freedom from the students, which is important.”
Concealed Carry is the ability to bear a handgun without it being seen by anyone else. The idea is to not show a criminal who is armed, making carrying out a crime a more difficult decision.
A permit is available to those 21 years of age and older to carry a concealed weapon, although the state of South Carolina does not issue permits to non-residents, which would make obtaining a permit difficult for out of state students.
Jones owns a firearm himself, but does not keep it at his on-campus residence.
According to the data provided by the US Department of Education, the number of burglaries increased on campus from 2004 to 2006, as well as in residence halls.
The USC Division of Law Enforcement and Safety also keep crime statistics on its website, and list that from 2001 to 2006, the number of cases of assault reported has risen from 47 to 62, although the total number of crimes listed on campus fell in those years from 635 to 558.
Compared to the national average, Columbia as a city ranked worse in every crime category except murder.
Risks evident in surrounding area as well
Aside from the incidents that recently took place on campus, there have been places of worry for students going to and from common local destinations.
“The walk (from Five Points) gets kind of scary at night,” Sweet said.
Recognizing the distance between the campus and one of the more popular student hangouts in the area, USC this year has introduced Cocky’s Caravan, a free shuttle service for students with stops spread from the Vista, to Five Points to the Koger Center and Greek Village.
Aside from the new Cocky’s Caravan, there still are the preexisting APO Escort Services, or Duck bus, and the availability of police escort as well.
The University website also has a list of tips to keep safe on its main website, advising students not to carry large sums of cash with them, avoiding shortcuts and isolated areas after dark and not walking alone after dark among them.
What can you do right now?
Students seeking further statistics and information on campus crime can access the school’s law enforcement website at www.sc.edu/crimestats/index.asp, where tips on preventing and avoiding crime are available, as well as contact information for campus police.
Campus police were not available for comment.