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by JAY WAIDE
Intern News Reporter
Even with recent reports of assaults and student impersonators, some Appalachian State University students still maintain a feeling of security around campus and in the town of Boone.
That sense of security is present in lieu of slight increases of certain reported crimes in 2008.
Robberies are at the highest rate in several years, three more rapes were reported in 2008 than 2007, aggravated assault numbers rose by one to 14 total and misdemeanor assaults increased by eight to 98, according to the preliminary crime statistics released by the Boone Police Department.
The crime numbers released by University Police are smaller, but the statistics do not include 2008.
Some students believe Appalachian offers superior safety over other college campuses and towns, even with the current reports.
“Compared
to a lot of places, [Appalachian] is a lot safer than some of the other
colleges that my friends go to,” Heather M. Worth, freshman music
education major said.
Joy N. Parker, freshman French education major, shared Worth’s sentiments.
“It’s a lot safer,” Parker said. “I definitely wouldn’t be walking around by myself at [North Carolina State University].”
Both Parker and Worth said incorporating a buddy system and walking in well-lighted areas are steps they take to ensure safety.
“I rely on the buddy system and a good sturdy pair of boots [for safety],” Parker said.
Those two simple steps are just some of the actions students should practice, according to University Police Lt. Billy Arnett.
“There
are several things you can do,” Arnett said. “Things like never walking
alone at night, walk in lighted areas, know where the emergency phones
are and that’s just the big things.”
Arnett
said students, females in particular, should attend some of the
self-defense classes and safety programs offered in some of the
residence halls and buildings on campus.
He also urged students to know whom they are letting into the buildings, a problem known to University Police as “piggybacking.”
“Technically
every visitor in a [residence hall] should have an escort, but we know
that doesn’t always happen,” Arnett said. “Students should make sure
that they absolutely know who they are letting through the door.”
University Police are always patrolling, Arnett said. But some students think other measures should be taken.
Steven E. Addison, freshman social work major, said he would like to
see more foot patrol from officers around campus and a concentration
around problem areas. Addison also suggested bicycle patrols as
something the department could incorporate.
“I
haven’t seen any of [University Police] walking around,” Addison said.
“I have seen patrol cars parked, but a foot patrol would be nice.”
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