Southern's Crime Rate Increase. Raise a Voice Against Viloence

Crime has always been a fascination to some people to learn about.  However, would you want to hear that it is happening close by?  Data charts and information can be very useful when it comes to crime rare in a town.  Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven.  According to Business Insider, New Haven is rated the fourth most dangerous city in the United States.

According to Southern 's Uniform Campus Crime and Fire Safety Manual drug abuse and violations have gone top from 2010-2012.  Not only did drug related crime increased, but also sexual offenses and burglary increased. Does this mean Southern is unsafe? Southern Police officers have done their part in keeping the students safe.  Students that attend Southern know of the dangers that happen close to or on campus.


"I mean, I suppose it is to be suspected.  We are a college campus in one of the most dangerous cities in the United States.  So to not expect it would be naive," said Pat Burton, a freshman and engineering major at Southern.

The Southern police are required by state law to inform students and families of the crime rate.  They don't try and cover up or sugar coat anything that happens near or on campus; especially for families with children thinking of applying to Southern.

"We send out an e-mail every time a crime happens around campus. We want to keep them as safe as possible.  Some students have taken their own course of action and carry around pepper spray and things such as that to keep themselves safe," said Chief Joseph M. Dooley.

Southern offers an alternative option for students to have when they feel unsafe  "One of the things campus police do is have an escort service. All  a student would have to do is call our number 392-5275 with your name, location and destination and as long as the student is on camp grounds somewhere, a police officer will come and pick them up," Said Dooley.

Campus police also hold a program called R.A.D (Rape Aggression Defense), which is a program for women to teach them basic self defense moves if they ever find themselves in a bad situation.  However, it is not a Martial Arts class.  It is just a basic hands-on self defense class for women who wan to know how to protect themselves.  To learn more about the other services Southern campus police provide go to this website.

What more could the police do?  They can be found driving around campus at night making sure students aren't getting into mischief and are safe. However, what else can they do to get these crime rates down? There is only so much that can be done. If students have suggestions they should go to the police station and talk with one of the officers.  Don't be afraid to raise a voice against violence. Southern Campus Police are here to keep the students safe.