SAN DIEGO STATE AMONG THE MOST DANGEROUS CAMPUSES

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By Nadin Abbott

May 30, 2013 (San Diego)-- Back in November the Daily Aztec reported San Diego State University  to be the seventh most dangerous college campus in the U.S. The Daily Aztec quoted the Business Insider, which stated, “SDSU experiences approximately 27 violent incidents per year.” In 2011 these included were five rapes, three robberies and five aggravated assaults.

ECM asked campus police some questions; Captain Lamine Secka responded in detail.

Our first question, actually coming from my years as a student, was what is the campus doing to improve lighting?

Secka told us in an e-mail interview that “lighting on campus is always a consideration. Currently we conduct regular lighting surveys in which we walk the campus with members of Facilities Services to evaluate and make recommendations for any lighting changes.” The campus, he also added, is growing so needs do change.

ECM also asked about the after dark escort service, which I was encouraged to use back in the 1980's as early as student orientation. The program not only remains, but students are still told of it as early as summer orientation. Secka also emphasized that “The escort service is used, and has seen an increase in use this past year. We are always striving to increase the availability of escorts to the campus community.”

According to the campus police website the service is “provided seven days a week from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00p.m. when classes are in session during the Fall and Spring semester. To request an escort please call 619-594-6659.” http://police.sdsu.edu/escort.htm

ECM also asked about cooperation with San Diego Police, given that some of the crimes occur in areas that are SDPD responsibility, such as the recent kidnapping attempt on Campanille. He assured ECM that there is very good cooperation between the two departments, and that in fact this particular case is a joint investigation.

Secka also assured ECM that the recent construction on Campus has not made their job more difficult.

What remains is that if you have a young student attending SDSU remind them to always use the buddy system, don’t walk alone at night, and use the escort service the Campus provides.  Don’t leave personal items unattended. 

Property theft remains the highest crime on campus, like it was back in the 1980s, but violent crime is also a reality. Use common sense and use those services provided by the campus.

ECM sent a follow-up email asking campus police if staffing is adequate to address security needs or if there have been any budget cuts impacting the force, but did not receive a reply by press deadline.

 


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