U. Police taking steps to better off-campus safety

Following student concern over the recent rash of off-campus violent crimes, University Police officials are considering new ways to provide a consistent level of prevention and response within its jurisdiction. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night that police are implementing two improvements in the immediate future. One change, he said, is to redefine deployment, within the current staff level, to give higher visibility in the area between 40th and 43rd streets. As a consequence of these changes, the level of security in that area will be equal to the level provided by University Police east of 40th street, Kuprevich said. Kuprevich also said University Police wants "to help the neighborhoods help themselves." "Our intention is to help the community areas become organized so they can work with us and help themselves," he said. "We have intentions of working with them to make a safer community." One step University Police took to combat crime was to open a mini-station at the intersection of 40th and Walnut streets in 1992, Kuprevich said. And, according to Kuprevich, "the incidents of crime have decreased in that area" since the mini-station opened its doors. Local merchants said last night they are pleased with the level of security provided by University Police. "I think their coverage has been much better since they put up their mini-station," said Paul Dolnick, general manager of AMC Walnut Mall Theatres. Terrance Cowans, manager of the Burger King at 40th and Walnut streets, said last night that crime "is an overriding concern" and that "this is a high risk area." But, he added, he too is very satisfied with University Police. "One thing I can say about this area is that the police are very on top of the situation and give you the security that you need," he said. But, Cowans said if University Police does not tighten its security by the summer, there will be more assaults and robberies. College junior Dave Doctorow, a victim of an assault in the 3900 block of Walnut street last semester, said he does not think the mini-station makes a significant impact on area crime. He added that he has seen more police officers in the McDonald's on the corner of 40th and Walnut streets than in the mini-station. "I've walked by [the mini-station] hundreds of times," Doctorow said. "Rarely have I ever seen the lights on, let alone people in the office." Cowans also said he rarely sees any one in the mini-station. "Every time I see it, it's always locked," he said. Kuprevich said before the installation of the mini-station, there was a strong sense of fear in the area. He added that although a decrease in crime has coincided with the presence of the mini-station, crime has not disappeared from the area. "The reality in dealing with crime is that you displace it rather than stop it altogether," he said.