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Gunmen targeting students near state-mandated victim zone PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Thursday, 21 July 2005

WBNS-TV, Columbus is reporting that gunmen are targeting students near Ohio State University main campus.

From the story:
    Investigators say the robbers are striking late at night, primarily approaching female students --seemingly out of nowhere.

    A campus-area crime alert is in effect as a result. Police say in just the past week, random, violent robberies have been committed on sidewalks and in alleys behind apartment buildings.

    Investigators say the attackers strike not only women walking alone, but also in groups.

    "Men come walking towards them, and at the last minute will force them to the ground," Officer Chris Riley said. "In a couple of cases, the victims were in pairs or in a small group, and they still were robbed."

    "They pull a gun then steal purses, cell phones, credit cards and even identification and driver licenses."
It's nice that a campus area alert is in effect as a result of this recent violence. However, as is the case with most, if not all universities in Ohio, it seems an alert is as far as they are willing to go. This is simply not enough. How about offering CHL-classes on campus and encouraging those students who are old enough to obtain a license? What about sponsoring classes such as NRA's Refuse to be a Victim?

On top of Universities not doing enough to prepare their students for these types of encounters, Ohio's lawmakers and society in general have ignored the fact that crime happens on and around college campuses. Why are 21 year old college students not afforded the right to self protection while on campus? Why are 18 year olds less trustworthy while traveling around campus than they are while serving their country in the armed forces?

OSU's Campus Police web site offers TWO tips for walking on and around campus.
    "WHEN WALKING:

    1. Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary.

    2. Walk purposefully, know where you are going, project a no-nonsense image."
Students have been advised to avoid walking alone for quite some time now. It is pretty obvious that this only provides a false sense of security at best. While traveling in groups might deter rapists in some cases, this story clearly demonstrates that armed attackers have no problem subduing multiple victims.

The WBNS story goes on to say that these violent encounters are even happening when police are in the area.
    "In one case, as officers were taking victims home, other victims were waving at the officers saying they had just been robbed," Officer Riley said.

    So police are taking a special approach to the crime wave.

    "We have formulated a strategy, and we'll continue that until all arrests have been made," Riley said. "We'll continue this until we catch the bad guys."

    Police advise everyone in this area -- not just students -- to stay vigilant.
Perhaps it's time for the POLICE to be vigilant and lobby for a change in Ohio law to restore the right of self defense to not only college students but all visitors to college campuses. After all, they cannot be there to protect each and every one of these victims. Avoiding walking alone and walking purposefully just doesn't seem to be the answer, no-nonsense image or not.