Students going to house parties around South Campus this semester may notice more cops than usual.
University officials say they have been regulating watch on parties in the University Heights area since late August, a procedure said to be customary during the beginning of the school year. However, the campus police force is also keeping a closer watch on the safety of everyone in the district.
"It's my understanding that there has been some increase in crime," said Gerald Schoenle, University Chief of Police. According to officials, a recent string of crimes ranging from petty burglaries to an isolated case of murder on Englewood Avenue earlier this month, pose cause for student caution when going out.
Schoenle said that those going to house parties late at night are especially at risk.
"I think when you have a large number of people going to house parties, you get a larger number of potential victims," he said.
The police chief said that residents and students have been the primary targets of the crimes, most likely because people walk by themselves or are intoxicated when they leave parties.
According to a safety alert issued by the University Police to the UB student body, there have been 17 cases where pedestrians in the University Heights area were robbed since June 2006. Several of those incidences involved UB students, and all cases happened between 11:00 pm and 4:40 am.
Students were appreciative of the alert.
"I'm psyched that they're telling people about it," said Kate Tunison, a sophomore political science major who lives on South Campus.
While the University Police have been working with the Buffalo Police Department to increase safety, students are making efforts to ensure their safety as well.
"I used to feel safe, I would walk to parties by myself," said Jill Gregorie, a sophomore international politics major. "Now I make sure I go out with friends or at least have my cell phone on me."
Tunison said she didn't feel that she was at risk.
"I feel safe on South Campus. It's just the area around campus, like University Heights," she said.
Schoenle speculates that as students settle into their academic routine, crime is expected to slow down.
"I suspect it's an issue every September with incoming freshmen," he said. "When everyone starts realizing they have a workload and that they want to succeed, it'll diminish."
With Buffalo's harsh winter just around the corner, Schoenle does not anticipate crime to be as high, as people don't go out as often in the cold.
Students maintained a realistic perspective on the recent events.
"Crime can happen anywhere," Gregorie said. "It doesn't matter if it's North or South Campus."
Students that are victimized should call 911 if off campus or 645-2222 on campus, and are urged to wait for the police and describe the events as closely as possible.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
