By Billy S. Garland

Following the three crimes that overtook the University of Louisville last weekend, a period of relative calm has set in, as no new crimes have been reported in the last week.
Beginning early on Friday Sept. 11, a series of three robberies occurred in the same area of campus, near University Tower Apartments. These events reportedly resulted in undisclosed losses of money and one physical injury. The crime reports incited an immediate response from university officials.
 In response to the incidents, John Drees, U of L spokesman, released the information that the university would be immediately increasing security patrols around the campus and in the residence hall areas.
In an effort to aid the university, the Student Government Association has taken actions of their own to secure student safety.
“It’s awful and we know it is a concern to our students,” said O.J. Oleka, student body president. “We are working with the university administration to take measures to protect students. For example, we were able to get the blue safety buttons on campus fixed.”
The blue buttons Oleka referred to can be found throughout campus. The ideal use of this technology is to provide an immediate alarm for any student caught in a threatening situation. By pressing a button, an alarm is designed to sound, alerting security and potentially frightening a would-be assailant.
According to a report released by campus security in 2008, these safety stations are only a small part of the university’s security system. The system is intended to include student escort services, parking lot surveillance systems and victim assistance programs, as well as a significant security force. It is this force which has become an important focus for university officials, as well as the SGA.
“We have advocated new hiring in university police,” said Oleka. “We have succeeded in this.”
The university’s efforts to increase the number of security workers has reportedly led them to seek a partnership with the fourth division of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Drees released last week that U of L will be working with the LMPD to investigate the criminal incidents that have been occurring, as well as to beef up security.
Oleka says that all of these actions are attempting to leave students with a greater sense of safety, especially after the recent events. While many students have voiced their concerns, not all students see a need to worry.
“I heard about the robberies at Gray’s [Bookstore] and the Cardinal’s Nest, but not about the assault in front of UTA,” said freshman undecided major Maura McKiernan. “I feel safe, although I am not really on campus at night ever.”
According to the National Crime Victimization Survey administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, robberies like these don’t just happen at night. The survey, last taken in 2006, shows that events like these recent crimes tend to occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Two of the three incidents last weekend occurred within these hours. The study also reiterates the belief that crimes of this type tend to accelerate in times of economic downturn.
Acknowledging the current state of the economy, and taking into account the boldness of these recent incidents, has led the SGA to increase their focus on stepping up safety.
“Unfortunately, with a bad economy and more people losing hope, crime rises,” said Oleka. “This is important to us. And we are making it a priority.”