"Crime Alerts" Becoming all too Familiar to OU Students

Unfortunately, it has become all too frequent that when we as Ohio University students, faculty and staff check our on campus email accounts we are greeted with messages with the subject of “Crime Alert”. It is policy to post these alerts when there is a situation that the University believes could threaten a student, staff, or community member. According to Ohio University’s website, crime alerts can be posted for any of the following crimes: arson, aggravated assault, burglary, criminal homicide, motor vehicle theft, robbery, sex offenses, and others if deemed necessary.

Over the course of the 2010-2011 school year there have been a significant number of crimes posted for public indecency and sexual imposition. These crimes are by no means anything to be taken lightly. For some reason, many students feel that the emails and police reports that provide the horrific details of the alleged incidents were written for their entertainment.

It is hard for students to believe that such devastating acts of violence such as rape occur in their own backyard or while they are walking home at night. They are issues that students are educated about as they grow up but continuously live with the notion of “it will never happen to me”.

Sadly, the four victims of the most recent crimes here at Ohio University likely lived with the same notion and regrettably they were wrong. It is important that all of us at Ohio University take the “Crime Alert” e-mails that flow into our in boxes seriously. For young women on campus they should come as a reminder and warning. Being on campus alone is sometimes inevitable, but being smart and aware of your surroundings is the most crucial thing anyone can do. For young men, be wise and considerate and don’t let any of your girlfriends walk alone at night if it’s not necessary. The extra trip up or down Jeff Hill could make someone’s night so much safer.

As students, faculty and staff, Ohio University is somewhere we all call home at some point during the year. Home is a place that we all should feel safe and secure. We should have that same feeling whenever we are on campus. If we all heed the warnings and are continuously aware of our surroundings, we can help make sure we are not victims of these crimes.

"Crime and Emergency Alerts." Ohio University. Web. 2 May 2011. http://www.ohio.edu/police/alerts/