Calling the recent string of armed robberies in University City, "crimes of opportunity," University Police Chief of Operations Maureen Rush said these incidents are typical for the beginning of the semester. In the past week, six separate robberies have occurred at gunpoint, including a lone gunman's holdup of Boston Market at 39th and Chestnut streets. Because of the similar modus operandis of the crimes, Rush said police suspect two or three men may be behind all of them. Rush also said University Police have identified several suspects from eyewitness accounts. During three of the incidents, students reported being accosted with semiautomatic weapons. According to Rush, the use of semiautomatic weapons in campus crimes has gradually increased, and police are highly aware of their danger. Rush said semiautomatic firearms carry more ammunition, firepower and accuracy than the standard police revolver. The University Police department is in the process of purchasing semiautomatic handguns to replace its current stock of revolvers, she added. Rush said all crimes committed at gunpoint are highly dangerous. Semiautomatic weapons, however, have the potential to cause greater casualties because of the increased ammunition. University Police Captain John Richardson said he questions the accuracy of student reports of semiautomatic weapon use. Richardson said it is difficult for students to identify the type of weapons used in an assault accurately because they may be unfamiliar with firearms and under extreme pressure. College junior Viswam Nair said there should be more police patrols on the weekends and during hours when students are out at night. "It is inevitable that West Philadelphia is going to be a dangerous area," Nair said. And Wharton sophomore Matthew Bender said the key to safety on campus is intelligence. "You have to know where to go and when to go there," he said. "I do not feel safe in a number of off-campus locations at night or even during the day as a result of the urban environment." College sophomore Matt Stein said he was unaware of the recent crimes on campus. Noting that he was raised in an urban environment, Stein said, "I feel perfectly safe in Philadelphia." Rush said assaults can happen anywhere, including centralized campus areas like Locust Walk. But she noted that these incidents often involve students who are walking alone. She added that University Police are thoroughly investigating the recent harassment of a female student in Van Pelt Library. "It is imperative that students feel perfectly safe in University buildings," Rush said. She explained that there are many things students can do to remain safe. If students feel threatened at any time, they should walk to a safe area, or call University Police on the blue light phones, Rush said. Rush added that police will conduct "house parties" for groups of students interested in learning more about safety issues.