Responding to recent incidents of robbery of and assault on Northwestern students, Northwestern is increasing security and advising students not to walk alone, according to a statement from William Banis, vice president for student affairs at Northwestern. In his statement Mr. Banis said, “There have been two robberies of Northwestern students in recent weeks, and an incident last weekend (Oct. 16-18) in which students walking near campus were struck by a group of teenagers.”
The University and its safety department will increase patrols and visibility by Northwestern University and Evanston police in the areas where the incidents occurred. The University also says it will create a special University Police task force that will further increase police presence and concentrate patrols in the areas near the campus. They will also start the SafeRide transportation service at 7 p.m. and add two vehicles to the program; that program runs to 3 a.m.
The University also advises students not to walk alone or ride the train, el or bus alone at night, to keep keys and cell phones handy and to report suspicious activity to the University or the Evanston police.