DYLAN M. HOLLIDAY
Collegiate crimes: Students search for safety in housing
When it comes to where to live, feeling safe is a must for students.
February 17, 2016 - Dylan Holliday
With major incidents bubbling up in college towns across the country, concern for student safety takes the spotlight when it comes to living arrangements.
As current students begin looking into the option of moving away from dorm life and into apartment complexes nearby for space, the battle ensues on exactly what is the safest option; is it the close-quarter environment of on-campus housing, or the freedom of off-campus living?
According to a 2014 report by the Virginia Tech Police Department, there were seven incidents of rape, five incidents of aggravated assault, 18 burglaries and one incident of motor vehicle theft reported by Virginia Tech’s police department for on-campus incidents.
“I feel more comfortable [living] off-campus just because I’m allowed to do a lot more, but I felt a lot safer living on-campus just because there were cops all over campus and just the fact that you live with a lot more people makes you feel much safer,” said Priyanka Gunduboina, a senior at Virginia Tech who has spent the first two years of her college career on-campus and another two off-campus.
For some, this active police presence helps students feel more comfortable in their on-campus living arrangements, and with low criminal offenses happening on-campus as is, it’s easy to see that their presence helps deter criminals from taking any chances.
That feeling of safety for students living on-campus is not just provided in the increased police presence, but the various opportunities for students to stay safe. One being the 62 blue light emergency callboxes located around the Virginia Tech campus. These visible markers show students that if there is ever danger, one of these callboxes is not far away.
Police, however, are not the only active presence on campus. Residential advisors - or RAs - are available on each floor of every residential hall on campus. While any student can reach out to an RA, those within the immediate vicinity of one can be helped in the case of an emergency.
"Resident Advisors are the direct contact to students who reside on campus. With that being said, it is our job to facilitate or create environments that are safe for our residents as they are away from their homes," said Joycelynn Acheampong, an on-campus resident for three years and an RA for two.
"By performing duties such room checks to ensure all rooms are adhering to all safety measures, as well as checking in on residents to assess their mental and emotional health."
Blacksburg, Va. February 16, 2016 -- Outside Slusher Residential Hall. One of 62 emergency push-to-talk callboxes located around Virginia Tech's campus.
Blacksburg, Va. February 16, 2016 -- Main Street. Blacksburg police cruisers patrol downtown.
Blacksburg, Va. February 16, 2016 -- West Ambler Johnston Residential Hall. For students who live in on-campus housing and feel like they are in danger, each hall is staffed with a residential adviser to help with their needs.
Blacksburg, Va. February 16, 2016 -- Outside Slusher Residential Hall. One of 62 emergency push-to-talk callboxes located around Virginia Tech's campus.