Post Classifieds
Safety in the hands of the students
By The Record Staff
On September 12, 2012
We're only a couple of weeks into the new school year, and already, multiple
campus alerts have been issued by University Police due to attacks on students
around campus.
Campus alerts have been the norm for returning students and the majority of the
time they're easily brushed off, but recent attacks have escalated from those in the
past, culminating with a Buffalo State student getting shot.
Luckily, that student escaped with surgery and an arm cast, but what's next? How
long will it be until one of our own is seriously injured or even killed by the violence
surrounding our campus?
The focus on safety on and near our campus needs to improve quickly and on all
fronts. Most students are prone to complain about UPD, especially when they're
handing out parking tickets, and there's a great chance the majority of us will blame
them for not keeping us safe.
That's not fair. Incidents happen at Buffalo State, but are by no means central to it. A
University at Buffalo student was recently robbed by three men who jumped out of
a SUV near UB's south campus.
Peter Carey, Chief of Police at Buffalo State's UPD, called this semester's shooting
a "crime of opportunity."
Students need to take steps to improve safety, just like local law enforcement
agencies. Our campus sits next to some not-so-nice neighborhoods, and it's up to
students to understand when they're making themselves vulnerable.
Right now, we're in the peak season for late-night campus activity. It's still warm
outside and students are excited to be back at school. We've got some great local
establishments near campus, and the walk is almost refreshing in the late summer
night air.
Unfortunately, that's also the prime time to get into trouble. Students coming back
from local bars or eateries in the wee hours are more likely to attract attention,
especially if they're under the influence.
You have to be aware of your surroundings. Don't walk around alone at night, and
don't wander down a side street on your way back to campus. Elmwood Avenue
is usually teaming with life at all hours, and if you plan on going out, use it as your
main path of travel.
Above all else, be responsible for yourself. Nobody - not UPD, not the Buffalo Police
- can control strangers. If you see someone you don't recognize wandering around,
especially late at night, chances are they don't have great intentions. Know where
you are and where you shouldn't be, always err on the side of caution, and maybe
we'll start to see fewer campus alerts as the year rolls on.
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