<p>Well here are my thoughts now that I am a student here.</p>
<p>We have the largest private police force in the world outside of the Vatican! The University Police all walk about in bulletproof vests, and some carry submachine guns (mostly MP5s). Well this may make us seem safe it is also worrying that we need this level of protection.</p>
<p>The day before last a girl got mugged. She was with a group of friends (including guys) waiting, on campus, in line for a university bus. She was the last one walking on when she was seized from behind. This took place in broad daylight, on campus, surrounded by people. The girl ended up fine. I found this extremely unnerving as it shows the incredible level of stupidity among the criminals here. In general one can assume the way in which criminals will attack this mugging defied all logical reason.</p>
<p>Last night a group (two guys one girl) was stalked. A guy came up behind undoing his jacket for no apparent reason and began to follow the group. As they started to run the man gave chase. They hit the emergency buttons as they ran and were picked up by Safe Ride.</p>
<p>These are just the events I have heard about, that have taken place since Monday when the quarter started. I have been walking about at three in the morning
alone. I have only felt unsafe once. A man crossed the street towards me. I work out and am fairly intimidating, I think, I simply stared the fellow down. Nothing ensued.
I find it amusing in a somewhat depraved sense that they have candy-baskets of rape whistles with little cards on what to do when attacked, fliers in ALL the dorms instructing students how to describe a suspect to police, and the seemingly mandatory, constant, remarks never to go walking alone.
Its safer here then I had expected in some ways, worse then in others.</p>
<p>Cheers</p>