Recent crimes near campus, including an armed robbery and shooting, are causing CU students to be on high alert when it comes to their safety.
CU Spokesperson Bronson Hilliard said that even though those crimes had occurred off-campus, students should always be aware of their surroundings.
Hilliard said he warns students to be vigilant, but the risk alert is relatively low at this point in time.
“We work with the Boulder police to determine the threat level, and at this time, it does not represent an immediate threat to the campus proper,” he said.
Hilliard said actions currently being taken include the increase of police patrol on campus, as well as communication with the residence halls to ensure all doors are locked and students are arriving home safely.
CUPD Cmdr. Tim McGraw said CUPD is doing its part to make sure students are safe.
“We sent out an advisory so people could take precautions and be aware of their surroundings,” McGraw said.
The CUPD are locating patrol cars in logical areas, such as bike paths.
McGraw said it was quite unusual for two robberies involving handguns to happen in such close proximity to each other. Regarding incidents like that, the most important piece of advice he said he can give to CU students is compliance.
“If you are accosted with someone who has a gun and they demand money, give it to them,” he said.
Advice Hilliard offers to students is to travel in groups when walking around late at night.
“Particularly with finals coming up, it’s important for students to always walk in groups,” Hilliard said. “With students being up very late, it’s important that students travel together.”
Hilliard said he warns students to carry cell phones on them at all times and to be aware of the blue emergency phones on campus.
In addition to emergency actions, Hilliard stresses preventive measures, like using NightRide and staying sober. He said students need to be extremely conscious of the efforts they can take.
“The most vital safety precaution for students to remember is what students themselves can do,” Hilliard said. “Students need to make safety their number one priority.”
Some CU students disagree with Hilliard. Lark Maag, an 18-year-old freshman open option major, said precautions haven’t stopped the crime.
“All of the increased safety measures don’t seem helpful because the crimes are still happening,” Maag said.
While Maag said she generally feels safe, she takes measures to avoid risky situations.
“I try not to go to certain areas where attacks occur,” Maag said.
Eric Grimes, a 21-year-old junior finance major, said he feels less safe than he did a year ago.
“Last summer, I didn’t really question my safety,” Grimes said. “But ever since the crimes, I’ve definitely been questioning which routes to take.”
Grimes said he felt less safe in some areas more than others.
“I feel safe on campus, but sometimes walking around on the Hill I feel less safe,” he said.
On the other hand, Robert Ortega, a 19-year-old sophomore film major, said he feels very safe on campus.
“We have campus police, and the campus is surrounded with blue emergency phones,” Ortega said. “I have also never been in a situation where my safety has been threatened.”
Despite Ortega’s positive outlook on the recent criminal activity near campus, he does offer advice to students at CU.
“Travel in groups,” Ortega said. “If I were in a group, I know it would be less likely for us to be confronted.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Audrey Hoffman-Lekmine at Audrey.hoffmanlekmine@colorado.edu.
