Improving Safety

This past week’s assaults were an unfortunate way to launch the new school year. Students typically energetic with fresh enthusiasm for the fall were reminded that Cambridge’s gentrified veneer conceals a darker reality of city life. A new year has arrived, and once again undergraduates are confronted with breaches of Harvard’s security and safety mechanisms. But these events are not necessarily cause for the same kind of outrage witnessed last fall, as the past year has brought thorough changes for the better.

Although it may seem as though little has changed—this week’s disturbing incidents follow in striking similarity to last fall’s string of assaults—Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), in conjunction with Cambridge Police Department (CPD), have actually made notable strides in keeping students informed and reassured. In addition, HUPD has not only enhanced its security services, but also helped build awareness in a quick and effective manner. In light of the recent assaults this fall, we are confident that the changes made over the past year will help make the future of safety at Harvard more promising.

Along with boosting the number of uniformed and plain-clothed patrollers, HUPD also replaced the defunct Safety Walk program with the expanded Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP). These student escorts, trained by HUPD and unmistakably visible in their brightly colored HUCEP vests, patrol the streets and offer to walk with students from 10:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until 3:00 a.m. on weekends. Due to the increased presence of HUCEP escorts, students have taken advantage of this useful service in turn. Since February 20 last year, 711 students received a walking escort, according to HUPD spokesperson Steven G. Catalano.

Just as crucial, HUPD has made a significant effort to keep students updated on recent campus and city evnts. Whereas in the past, the mechanism for informing students about gropings and other sexual assaults was haphazard and spotty—leading to delays of days for some students—HUPD and Harvard have streamlined and improved the way information is disseminated after each event. After last week’s shooting on De Wolfe Street and two sexual assaults, HUPD as well as House tutors sent a series of timely advisory e-mails, which were dispersed throughout the undergraduate community. These alerts informed students not only of these troubling events, but also provided tips on how to stay safe. The e-mails included outlines of safety pathways, shuttle service hours and other contact numbers for HUCEP and Harvard Police.

Despite all these efforts, this fall the attacks have continued, which may lead one to question whether all these changes have been for naught. We are confident that the reforms were worthwhile. Improving communication with the student body and building awareness are essential components in preventing future crimes and assaults. In truth, it is important to remember that there are limits to HUPD’s ability to prevent crimes. Every security breach that occurs on the Harvard campus is not necessarily a direct result of a failure on HUPD’s part. Positive reforms deserve to be praised where praise is due.

At the same time, the recent assaults serve to remind the Harvard community that even more can be done. HUPD must increase its patrol officers’ visibility in order to deter future assaults, perhaps issuing more officers to some of the high-risk areas on campus. All of this past week’s events took place near Mt. Auburn Street and the areas around Leverett and Mather Houses. HUPD must respond to these obvious trends, issuing more patrols in these incident-heavy areas where attacks have continued to persist.

While Harvard has assured students that they are working with the CPD to uncover the culprits behind these attacks, HUPD must also take a more active and vocal role in pursuing these suspects. Potential assaulters will undoubtedly be dissuaded from committing future attacks if the threat of being caught seems considerably more imminent. Catching these suspects would amount to very tangible gains in safety.

Yet, while there is much room for improvement when it comes to safety and security at Harvard, it would be wrong to use the recent events as a cause with which to condemn HUPD. We are grateful for the improved services and hope that HUPD continues to respond in a quick and effective manner.