OUR VIEW: Bring campus police closer to campus

The recent release of the statistical report from the USU Campus Police emphasized that many of the crimes on campus occur near the Taggart Student Center, University Inn and Parking Terrace. The activity in this area is so condensed, it makes sense for there to be more opportunity for vandals and burglars to victimize someone by stealing items from a car or damaging property in any manner.

Why, then, does it seem there is less of a police presence in that area? Granted, during special events such as WOW, peace rallies, or the like, an officer or two will be seen surveying the area. There are also various call boxes scattered throughout campus for late-night emergencies. But, during normal hours, especially just after dark when students are still on campus studying, there is rarely an officer nearby, or so it seems.

It would make perfect sense to have a separate office in, or near, the TSC because the student center is such an obvious central location. Currently, the office is on the outskirts of campus, which means it might take up to five minutes for an officer to arrive at the scene of a crime.

We commend the USU police for their involvement in cutting the amount of theft in half over the passed year, and a daily reminder of their existence would certainly serve the campus well.

We would like to see more of a police presence on campus – not just at basketball games or in the bookstore during the first week of school, but an officer in a more central place closer to the students.