Security escorts
The security escort service is another useful campus aid students can rely on. The service is usually provided late at night. Different universities have their own specific operating times and locations.
The service offered by New York University is called Safe Ride. It is a shared ride service, which is available for transportation to and from NYU facilities, and on three local mass transit stations during the academic term from midnight to 7:30 am.
Northwestern University, in Illinois, also provides a "Safe Ride" service. "If you are out late, you can call a police officer to walk with you, or even request a squad car," said Shi Jiayan, an NU student.
Similarly, UC Berkeley has the "Bearwalk" program. It operates from sunset to 3 am. The major difference is that with Bearwalk, a uniformed security officer will walk students safely from point A to point B within the campus boundaries.
According to MacAdam, many robberies occur when individuals are walking by themselves. "So if someone is walking with someone in uniform, they are unlikely to be a victim of crime," he said.
Avoid becoming isolated
Even though most of the students interviewed by Xinhua said the general on-campus safety environment is positive, the situation changes when they leave college boundaries, especially at night.
"When you go off-campus, it becomes a little bit more dangerous, at least at night it does," said Molly Hurley, a sophomore at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Qingni Yu, a junior student at UC Berkeley, echoed that view: "I don't usually stay at school very late. If I have to stay at school, I will ask my roommate if we can go home together, or I will take the bus. My apartment is close to the school, so I can walk. However, I avoid walking alone, especially at night."
Yuan Wang, a student at NYU, said, "Whether it is boys or girls staying outside at night or in places with few people, it is better to team up with friends, both for confidence and power."
Awareness
Students and security officers said being alert to the surroundings and not wearing headphones are sensible approaches to staying safe.
According to Shi, from Northwestern University, students should always be aware of their surroundings. "If you buy a ticket at the subway station, you should take account of the surroundings before you take out your wallet, or you should make sure you have the right amount (in your hand) before buying your ticket. You should not wear headphones when you are walking. I think these tips are good for all students."
Henry Cheng, a student at UC Berkeley, also warned of the dangers of a lack of awareness and the use of headphones.
"Don't plug both your ears while you are walking home in the middle of the night because that will make you very vulnerable and an easy target," he said.
MacAdam made the same point. "They (students) should not be on their cellphones, texting, looking at Facebook and therefore advertising their electronic devices. They need to be aware of their surroundings. Also, they should not wear headphones, because that also advertises their electronic devices, and they cannot hear if someone is sneaking up on them."
