Monday, January 6, 1997
Bruins feel safer as upgrades in campus security are
implementedBy Annie Yang
Daily Bruin Contributor
Reports of crime across the nation are falling, and students at
UCLA are catching wind of a new sense of security.
"Campus is really safe, especially around the dorms," said
Walter Lee, a first-year computer science student and dorm
resident. "I would never feel unsafe walking around."
Despite reports of two rapes last quarter and the first murder
on campus in more than seven years, many Bruins report they don’t
mind a walk across campus in the dark. But claims of security are
often accompanied by precautions, such as walking in groups and
possessing safety devices.
The No. 1 deterrent to victimization and crime is the alertness
and awareness of any community’s citizenry, says Capt. Terry Baker,
commander of Support Services with UCLA’s Community Service
Officers (CSOs).
"If a person doesn’t pay attention, then they’re in danger,"
asserted Baker. Not only is awareness of immediate surroundings
crucial to personal safety, but also the good old-fashioned advice
of adhering to the "buddy system," or travelling in groups of two
or more.
"Criminals have a hard time victimizing people in groups," says
Baker, which is the entire theory behind UCLA’s Escort Services as
provided by CSOs. More than just roaming campus in massive packs,
the ideas of alertness should merge with that of grouping to create
a persona that is distinctly not a victim.
"If an individual creates an illusion or a perception in the
criminal’s mind that they can’t get away with it, then they’ll go
somewhere else," Baker said.
In addition to student precautions, Parking Services has teamed
up with university police to alter areas that may be potential
crime sites so that they are safer for students and faculty.
Many parking structures are or will be painted a light color
like white or gray so as to eliminate dark corners and shadowy
passages where perpetrators may lurk unseen. And in addition to
current pay phones with 911 access, Parking Services will begin to
install emergency call boxes on all levels of the structures this
year.
Although authorities claim that parking structures are not
targets for crime more than any other area on campus, other safety
increases in those areas, such as extended patrol hours and
lighting upgrades, were recently implemented.
"… A lot of efforts have been made to increase campus safety,"
said Kathy Rose-Mockry, director of UCLA’s Women’s Resource Center
(WRC), "Yet like any other large university we have safety
issues."
One high-profile issue is rape and sexual assault, a topic the
Women’s Resource Center is well-prepared to handle. According to
Rose-Mockry, any statistic given anywhere on rape incidents
represents only a small portion of what actually occurs.
"People are afraid they won’t be believed, or (are afraid) of
being judged or stigmatized … they become so traumatized that
they just want to forget it," said Rose-Mockry.
The specialists at the Women’s Resource Center, providing
emotional support for any student seeking assistance for sexual
assault, say that as many as one in 10 rapes go unreported
nationally, according to research done with anonymous hotlines.
"Statistically speaking, someone is more likely to be raped by
someone they know," asserts Rose-Mockry. Even in the case of
acquaintance rape awareness is key in maintaining personal
safety.
Natalie Voskanian, a first-year biology student, claims she
feels safe on campus. Baker agrees that anyone can be a victim if
they are unaware, regardless of gender.
"Education is a really big piece as to what everyone can do to
be safer," says Diane Bischetti-Suggs, assistant director of the
WRC. "We’ve done workshops on safety products available, like
pepper spray."
Some students who claim they are at ease about crime on campus
often sport portable safety devices ranging from whistles to pepper
spray.
"I always keep it on my key chain," says Michelle Toy, a
third-year business economics student, of her pepper spray. But Toy
admits that carrying the device, although it provides her with a
sense of security, does not guarantee anything. When faced with a
dangerous situation, she is not sure she would be able to use it
effectively.
Most authorities claim that the effectiveness of such devices
depends on the individual. The characteristic pepper spray canister
on the key chain is virtually useless if it remains in a pocket or
purse during an attack, thereby creating a false sense of
security.
Beginning this year, campus police will maintain a Web site
providing crime bulletins and information on prevention materials
and the police department at www.ucpd.ucla.edu. The site is
currently under construction.
Many people appear to find UCLA safe enough to walk through even
after dusk. (r.) Several people are seen walking by Ackerman
through Westwood Plaza during late hours. (below) This woman seems
to find the campus a safe place to walk across at night.
JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin