After the recent spate of robberies and other crimes on and around campus, University parents and students have become more concerned about personal safety.
For some parents, recent concern over crime has evoked memories of security problems that plagued the area in the past.
Maureen Ercole, whose son Patrick is a College junior, recalled that two weeks after she arrived to study in Philadelphia in the early '70s, two women who lived next door to her were the victims of gang rape.
"I had thought it was a lot better in the last couple of years," Ercole said. "I really did."
Since the beginning of the academic year, 15 robberies have occurred on or near campus, and five involved real or simulated weapons, according to University Police. In response, the UPPD announced on Tuesday that it would raise security measures, increasing the number of police and surveillance cameras.
Meanwhile, most students are staying aware of the recent incidents.
Elian Dashev, a College freshman, read about the recent crimes in The Daily Pennsylvanian -- and if she misses an article, her mom is on top of things.
"She sends me all the links if I don't get to read it," Dashev said. "She's insane."
Dashev is far from the only student whose parents are nervous about safety.
College junior Rachel Rouhana just told her parents about the crime wave "a few days ago."
"My mom's always nervous about everything," Rouhana said.
Ercole said that her son has not yet mentioned the robberies to her.
"Of course he would not tell me... because he knows I worry in advance," Ercole explained.
Still, parents are not the only ones who are shaken by the recent reports of criminal activity near campus.
Dashev said that her anxiety increased after she learned of a Saturday night incident in which gunshots were fired near the 3900 block of Ludlow and Market streets.
Still, other students said they are not overly fretful.
College freshman Jeffrey Aaronson explained that he is not more nervous on campus now than he was before he knew about the string of robberies -- but not because he is unconcerned about crime.
"It's just that I haven't really been in any situations where I would feel threatened," Aaronson said, adding that he does not know anyone who has been personally affected by the recent robberies.
However, he said he is even less likely to walk alone at night now.
Still, it does not seem as though most students are planning on reconsidering their lifestyles due to the incidents.
"I guess I'm just more conscious of where I'm going and when," Rouhana said. "I don't think I've really taken any precautions per se -- I've always been pretty cautious."
Dashev seconded Rouhana, explaining that despite her concern, she felt as though she had already been taking the steps necessary to ensure her safety.
"I never used to walk alone, I won't walk alone...," Dashev said.
Though many students were optimistic that the University had increased the numbers of officers and security guards patrolling campus, there was a safety issue that caused almost unanimous concern -- the lack of adequate lighting around the University at night.
"I just think that around 40th and past that way there's not enough lights on the street," Rouhana stressed. "That's my biggest complaint."
For the most part, though, people agreed with the following sentiment.
"Of course I'm worried," Ercole said. "I guess that's what comes with being on an urban campus."
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