Police at the University of Illinois, Champaign, have warned students that they are vulnerable to crime wherever they venture whether it is on or off campus. This development comes a month after a shooting near the school.
At a forum on campus to support those at risk of engaging in gun violence, Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb warned that students must be vigilant everywhere. “Students, we always talk about (living in) that bubble,” he said. “You’re not getting away from urban situations here, they’re just on a smaller scale.”
The Campus Safety Forum was hosted by local police departments, the Champaign City Council, and student body president Ron Lewis. Student attendance was low. While U of I Police Department Chief Jeff Christensen acknowledged that U of I is “relatively safe,” he rhetorically asked, “If we were holding this event the night after (the shooting) happened, how many people would be here?”
“We always say we’re not immune from crime and it’s clear we’re not immune from these tragedies,” Christensen added.
The crime rate in Champaign is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest. With a rate of 34 crimes per 1,000 residents, it is not among communities plagued by crime. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Champaign is 1 in 29. Compared to the rest of Illinois, Champaign has a crime rate that is higher than 91% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes, according to FBI data. The leading campus crime is burglary, while aggravated assault is the most common crime in Champaign.
Christensen said his department provides information, such as gun safety and general safety advice, to students. “Join our social media platforms,” he said. “We’re pretty effective at putting information out on social media because we realize that’s where people are looking for information.”
Meanwhile, Cobb said his department is working with bars and other places of interest around town and on campus to ensure public safety.
AAN Staff
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