Within the past three years, the Texas Tech University Police Department responded to more than 100 Clery Act crimes, or on campus felonies.
According to the Tech crime statistics report for 2012, 13 of these offenses were sex offenses.
David Knipe, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Midland, Texas, said the numbers outraged him.
“That’s 13 too many,” Knipe said, shaking his head. ”I haven’t heard about them.”
According to the Tech police website, there are 102 blue phones on campus to help prevent and report emergencies. The site indicated phones are placed at strategic locations inside and outside of buildings around campus.
Macey Smith, a sophomore public relations major from Tomball, Texas, said she does not see many of the phones.
“I feel like when I walk around campus,” Smith said, “I only see a couple of blue phones. They aren’t where I need them.”
According to the Tech police department website, over half of the blue phones are located inside buildings.
“That is nonsense,” Smith said. “I don’t like that because I never see any in buildings. Buildings are easier to hide and escape in. There are hallways and twists and turns. Outside is open, and there aren’t as many places to hide.”
Morgan van Winkle, a junior studio art major from Salado, Texas, said she did not know there were any blue phones inside buildings. She said they should be more publicized, but she liked the idea of them being there.
Van Winkle said her opinion differed from Smith’s. She said there are more opportunities for assault when a student is inside alone. She said since it is a more enclosed space, it is harder to escape the attacker.
Knipe said although there have been more 100 reported crimes in the past three years, he is not worried about his safety. He said it seems like he cannot walk across campus without seeing a police officer.
Juan Trejo, one of Tech’s senior crime prevention technicians, said campus crimes vary from day to day, but the police department is always working toward student safety and is always on patrol.
According to Tech’s crime statistics report, there were 91 staff members for the Tech police department, with 52 of them commissioned police officers. The report stated the officers patrol campus 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The crime report indicated the department works with other local law enforcement offices to protect the safety of Tech students on and off campus.
Van Winkle said she was encouraged by the number of officers, but she wishes they were more personable. She said she knows they are there for her protection, but they are not approachable. Van Winkle said she thought they could do more to help out students.
Smith said there are not many improvements she would make to campus safety.
“I would prefer more blue phones,” Smith said. “Tuition may go up, but safety is the goal. There is safety in numbers.”
Photos and Graphics by Alicia Keene
About Sara Carden
