Kuprevich meets with parents

Worried parents met with University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich over Parents' Weekend to discuss concerns about crime on campus. Many parents cited fear about crimes reported in The Daily Pennsylvanian, such as last week's sexual assault, abduction and shooting of a College of General Studies student. Kuprevich said crime is not as bad as the DP makes it appear, however. "We thought it was dirty laundry that's been getting put in the paper," he said. One parent responded, "They may be exaggerating, but it must have happened." Kuprevich did say, however, that the campus media does help raise awareness about safety issues. He also complained about officers who talk to the press. "[Officers] have been told that if that's how they do the job, they'll be disciplined," he said. One parent wanted to know how many officers University Police employed. Kuprevich said 75, although he has stated on previous occasions that there are approximately 100 budgeted slots. When a parent asked how many officers are on a shift, Kuprevich answered, "we had 20 officers out last night." Officers have said University Police usually has no more than 15 officers on a shift, though, with many working in Victim Support or making court appearances. Kuprevich acknowledged that crime in the University area is on the rise. "The trend over the last five or six years has been up and down, but primarily upward," he said. "In the last six to eight weeks, we've seen an increase [in assaults]." When a parent asked about rapes, Kuprevich said there had been two in the last year. But he also acknowledged three other recent sexual assaults. "What type of environment is this?" one parent said. "How can these kids function?" "They're not out in Millersville," another parent responded. "They're not in Bryn Mawr." Parents also expressed concern about how their children travel around the city. Police officials said it pays to take Escort Service.