Despite crime, Escort use steady

Students may be worried about campus crime, but they're not concerned enough to stop walking at night. And when they do seek shelter, it's just as likely to be from the elements as from muggers. Stephen Carey, assistant director of transportation and parking, said yesterday that although the University has been plagued with violent crimes in recent weeks, Escort Service use has increased only slightly. While some of this increase is due to the University's crime problem, he said, it is as much due to the onset of cold weather. "I think the effects are pretty much equal," Carey said. "I think people were enjoying one of the nicest Octobers we've had and enjoying walking." Now that winter is approaching, they have stopped walking and started taking Escort instead. Carey said well-publicized crimes on or near campus do not always bring about a rise in Escort use. Despite the attempted robbery of two University Police officers Monday night, use of the service this week is about the same as last week. Last month, a University student was severely injured when she was run over by a van during a robbery attempt. The week before the October 19 accident, Escort provided 2,817 rides. The week after, this figure rose to 3,524. Carey said the incident probably was behind this increase, but added that increases are always due to numerous factors. The Monday after the accident, 506 students took Escort as opposed to 356 the week before. "I'm sure that incident and the other incidents had an effect on our numbers," he said. "I'm sure there are many of our students who've finally woken up to the crime problem we have." But, he said, Escort was not unusually busy the Monday night after the accident. Two days before the accident, 518 students used the service. The busiest day in the two weeks was the day before the accident when 550 students took Escort to avoid what Carey termed a "horrible" rainstorm. Carey said students should use the service whenever they are uncomfortable walking on or near campus. It is available by calling 898-RIDE. "Unfortunately, many don't wake up until a violent crime hits them," he said.

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