The Journal

Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: News

Some students say poor lighting around campus, such as here in Lot H, makes them feel unsafe. STEPHANIE POWELL / The Journal

Safety on the Webster campus isn't a concern for some people; Webster is in a quiet neighborhood and reported crime is low. But that doesn't stop some from feeling apprehensive and students think campus lighting could be improved to make the campus even safer.

Some Students Concerned About Safety at Night

Lauren Paulk, a junior international studies major, said she's felt scared on campus, especially late at night when certain areas of campus aren't well lit. She said the parking garage and the parking lot behind the University Center (Lot H) were two particularly dangerous areas of campus.

"In most places (the lighting) is good, but in between the library and that parking lot it could be better," Paulk said. "A lot of times I'll go to the library and not leave until two in the morning and sometimes when I walk back to my car, it's a little scary."

Sophomore Kristen Dattoli and senior Derek Feldman raised their concerns during last month's Delegate's Agenda meeting. Feldman, a psychology major, said he felt Lot H to be one of the more dangerous areas on campus.

"Behind the University Center there isn't very good lighting, or sometimes the lights just aren't on, or the light bulbs are out," Feldman said.

Dattoli noted the bushes in between the University Center and Edgar Road were overgrown and hard to see around.

Another area both Feldman and Dattoli found dangerous was the parking lot at the Webster Groves High School, where night classes are often held.

Feldman admitted the lack of lights by the high school wasn't on Webster's campus and might not be something the university can improve on its own. However, he said "it's a concern for the University if they've got Webster students walking back and forth. There's no lighted pathway."

Feldman said the administration seemed very willing to make changes the students brought up during the meeting.

"I felt the administration was very receptive, very interested," Feldman said. "They were writing down notes and said they'd send people to check on those areas and I did actually see one of them out walking around looking at lighting in the next couple of days after."

"I think someone needs to be regularly checking to make sure the lights work and are on," Feldman said.

Manager of Facilities Operations, Jim Ward, said that reporting burned out lights or overgrown hedges to Public Safety or Facilities Operations is the best way to get them taken care of.

"It's just like at home, if you walk in and the lights are off, let one of us know and we'll get someone on it," Ward said.

the Clery Act

The Clery Act requires schools to provide crime information to students and employees. By Oct. 1, schools compile the statistics from the previous year and post them. Webster's report is posted on the public safety Web site.

Factors considered in Webster's tally were homicide, sex offenses, arson, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and motor vehicle theft. Webster had 24 crimes reported to public safety in 2004, which included 20 burglaries and four forcible sex offenses. Washington University reported 44 crimes, while University Missouri-St. Louis had 34, St. Louis University had 26 and Maryville University had 11. The most common offenses were burglary and motor vehicle theft among all schools.

Webster students may read through the daily crime log kept in the public safety office. However, not everything in the Clery Act statistics makes it into the crime log. Dan Pesold, director of public safety, said the crime log only records the information that is reported to public safety directly.

"The sex offenses usually aren't reported to us. Those are reported to counselors. They're only reported to us if they wish to prosecute," Pesold said, explaining how there could be possible discrepancies with the data in the crime log and the statistics listed in the Clery Act report.

"Some of the burglaries we had were actually classified as 'stealings' (in the crime log), and were later reclassified to burglaries," Pesold said.

Actions to take

Students who feel unsafe walking to their car or class can call Public Safety and be escorted by an officer.

Jamalh Bussey, manager of public safety for Webster, said his office escorts 10-20 students on campus per week.

Students also may use one of the 16 emergency phones located throughout campus.

Pesold said he found the campus very safe.

"I don't consider any part of the campus to be dangerous," Pesold said. "Crime happens because the opportunity presents itself."

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