Police patrol will not change despite recent crimes

By: Brian Gartlan/city reporter

Posted: 9/22/05

As the memory of recent assaults around campus hovers among residents and students, Mayor John Inyart says he does not anticipate any law enforcement changes.

He said there were a number of serious incidents close to campus that coincidentally happened close to each other in time.

"They were totally unrelated," Inyart said.

Within the past several weeks, there was a fight near Ike's on Lincoln Avenue, a fight on campus at the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity house in Greek Court and the attack on an Eastern student at the Brittany Ridge apartment building.

All three occurrences led to arrests.

"I don't anticipate any major changes," Inyart said about law enforcement techniques.

"(Charleston) already has a working relationship with Eastern," he said. "We will continue to work together, with every effort to keep things safe," he added.

He said law enforcement could be placed on every block, but crime would still go undetected.

Charleston Police Chief Paul Welch said crime prevention involves using basic common sense.

"It makes me think twice about walking around at night," said Dina Silva, a senior family and consumer sciences major. "I'm more aware, even in a small town."

He warned students to be aware of their surroundings, the people around them and to lock doors and windows.

"Routine, normal precautions still apply in college," Welch said.

He said students that come to Charleston from bigger cities like Chicago do not feel threatened by a smaller community.

Though the University Police Department techniques will not change, University Police Officer Art Mitchell said the best way to prevent crime is to avoid being intoxicated.

The department will continue regular patrol on campus via foot, in vehicle and on bike at night around campus and residence halls.

He advised students not to walk alone at night and stay in well-lit areas, as well as staying alert to the surroundings.

Emergency button stations and emergency whistles are designed to protect students, but especially women, from harm.

"They remind students that help is close," Mitchell said.

He estimated 85 percent of problems at night are alcohol related.

Welch said the police can remind people to lock their doors and cars, but they cannot mandate them.

"In the reality of the world, predators still exist," Welch said.