The Eagle recently editorialized on appearances that crime had increased on and around AU's campus. At that time, Public Safety attributed the increase in crime to more comprehensive Cleary Act-mandated crime reporting as opposed to an actual increase in crime. While the events of the past week do not completely undermine that conclusion, they are enough to give AU students pause. Among the usual transports and robberies reported in this week's police blotter were a few more serious incidents. One involved an AU student who was sexually assaulted on Nebraska Avenue. The other incident involved three students who had a gun pulled on them during an attempted robbery while they were walking back to campus along Nebraska Avenue. An assailant pulled the gun's trigger, but fortunately something went wrong and the gun didn't fire. A Homeland Security officer chased the attackers away and the victims did not sustain any injuries. These incidents serve as a necessary reminder that AU is located in a city; a city that, according to crime statistics from the Congressional Quarterly, is one of the most dangerous in America.
In addition to the violent crimes last week there were also a few instances where men exposed themselves to passing AU students. While these crimes aren't dangerous in the typical sense, they do serve as a reminder that the sleazier elements of society do make it up to AU. Despite these many reminders, many AU students are still under the false impression that Northwest D.C. is perfectly safe, which leads to irresponsible behavior.
There are a few simple and effective ways to protect yourself while off campus. If it is late at night, you should take the shuttle to and from Tenleytown rather than take the long walk along Nebraska Avenue. If you have no choice but to walk, you should go in as large a group as you can muster.
These suggestions will not totally guarantee your safety. The students involved in the attempted robbery were in a group, but still came under attack. If you find yourself in a compromising situation and must choose between your purse and your life, give up the purse.
You need to remember that you are in college and are responsible for your own safety. Public Safety's jurisdiction ends at the campus limits. From there on, you need to be aware of your vulnerability.
