The Division of Public Safety decided earlier this semester to stop releasing the specific University affiliations of crime victims to the public and media. When the DP found out, we called on DPS to change its ways.
Not specifying whether a victim was a student, staff or faculty member made it difficult to track crime trends. And considering DPS has not and will never release victims' names, it had little effect on student privacy.
However, DPS - under the direction of Public Safety Vice President Maureen Rush - changed its mind after The Daily Pennsylvanian published an editorial on the subject, and it will now report victims' full affiliation. DPS made the right move, and Rush and other officials should be commended for listening and taking action after hearing others' opinions.
The change will help to ensure students' safety.
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