The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Lauren VanCleef

Downtown Albany is a vibrant scene during the day, but what lurks in the shadows at night is something to fret about. Local residents along with college students ponder how safe they are living close to downtown.

It seems as though students are constantly receiving security advisory e-mail's reporting a crime that happened over the weekend or during the week. The most recent e-mail students received was sent out on April 19th, 2009 stating that that three Saint Rose Students were assaulted and robbed as they were walking on State Street, near Quail around 1:00 am .The victims were approached by a group of teenagers who knocked one student to the ground, kicked and punched her and stole her purse

A prior e-mail informed students that the Albany Police Department reported on Saturday, March 7th,2009, a University at Albany student was robbed around 1:30 am. This student was robbed just minutes away from the Saint Rose campus, on Western Avenue near Partridge Street. The victim was approached by two men, one holding a hand gun. The victim's cell phone and wallet were stolen. A few weeks before this incident, another University at Albany student was robbed at knifepoint. This incident occurred on March 2nd, 2009 at around 2 am.

Students who live on or off campus have to be aware of their surroundings. According to Steven Stella, who is the head of the Security office at Saint Rose located at 340 Western Avenue, states that campus is a safe place and you need to be aware of what's around you.

"We have beefed up our patrols for prevention and crime deterrence," said Stella. "You are also at greater risk if you are not aware of your surroundings".

In order to ensure a safer environment, Security Guard's from the college walk 3 zones, which are Western Avenue and Madison Avenue around the campus. The third zone is a security guard who patrols the entire area around campus in a patrol vehicle. The security officers at Saint Rose also wear uniforms in order to help students feel safe.

"We have a highly visible presence to deter crime and to keep the good folks more comfortable," said Stella.

Stella also advises students to have a game plan before going out. Students should use the buddy system, and walk in a group of at least 3 people.

Saint Rose is planning on adding 4 more blue lights, and installing cameras in the Lima parking lot, and the East and West end's of the Quad. Security Guards are also at Lima and Brubacher Hall 24/7 to hold a strong field presence.

Continued...

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