EDITORIAL: Shaken to the core

After three weeks of near-After three weeks of near-daily armed robberies, weAfter three weeks of near-daily armed robberies, wedon't know who will be theAfter three weeks of near-daily armed robberies, wedon't know who will be thenext victim - and we'reAfter three weeks of near-daily armed robberies, wedon't know who will be thenext victim - and we'refrightened.After three weeks of near-daily armed robberies, wedon't know who will be thenext victim - and we'refrightened.___________________________ When a student walking with friends on campus is shot during a robbery attempt, it's more than a crime wave. It's inexcusable. It's terrifying. And it's time for administrators to own up to their lackadaisical response to a real, serious crisis. Luckily, Leroy is now recovering at HUP. But enough is enough. We're tired of hearing about plans and proposals. We're sick of listening to University President Judith Rodin sympathize with us about the dangers of living in West Philadelphia. We're terrified to walk around after dark -- even on campus. We can't run across the streets without checking for shadows. We're afraid of who is lurking in the shrubs along Locust Walk. We worry about who may be following us home from the library. We're not even sure if the blue light phone we reach for when we feel threatened will work. And we know we won't find any help -- or even any light, to make us feel more secure -- from the wooden kiosks "strategically" sprinkled on campus. We came to Penn to get an education, not to risk our lives or become prisoners of fear in our homes. We faithfully followed the safety precautions explained so carefully by RAs and police officers each fall. We took Escort, we traveled in groups, we didn't flaunt our jewelry or our cash. We told our parents not to worry. We were wrong. It's time to change that. Criminals cannot be permitted to think that Penn is full of wealthy students too book-smart to be street-smart, wandering around clueless, waiting to be preyed upon. A new mentality starts with Rodin herself. Madame President, don't wait for the cameras to deliver your reaction and your solution, like you did two years ago when Al-Moez Alimohamed was slain at 48th and Pine streets. We won't accept platitudes and delay. We're just too damn scared.