Sad incident at USC & why?

<p>I as a new SC parent am appalled and shaken by this. However, there was even a murder at Cal last year (a fight right by the Row). I hope they find the guy who did this. It will be interesting to how the school reacts in terms of increasing patrols, etc.</p>

<p>My college roommate was murdered one block from Harvard Square.</p>

<p>Every year, alcohol is the cause of more than 696,000 assaults, and 97,000 instances of sexual assault or date rape among college students (Hingson, et al., 2005). In addition, 11 percent of students damaged property while under the influence of alcohol (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 2008).</p>

<p>On campus is far more dangerous. And the felons are students.</p>

<p>Here is a weekly homicide map of greater Los Angeles. You can click on the week in the bar graph at the top, and it maps out where the homicides occurred. You can also zoom in and out on the map, and view it as a satellite photo. </p>

<p>To find USC on the map, it is located west of the 105 Fwy, and several blocks south of Interstate 10. UCLA is located northeast of the junction of Interstates 405 and 10.</p>

<p>[Los</a> Angeles Times Homicide Map](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/homicidemap/]Los”>http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/homicidemap/)</p>

<p>In defense of the OP, I also live in the LA area and it’s just a fact that USC is in a very high crime area. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t send your child there, just be aware of this. Of course, tragedies can happen anywhere. But, this is an urban school surrounded by all of the challenges that come with the location.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>As disturbing as this recent spike in violent crime against students is, at very least, it’s a spike - it’s certainly not typical.</p>

<p>This is so so very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young man.</p>

<p>Let’s focus on telling our kids to be aware and not bash other schools, this does absolutely nothing to unite the good people. We end up giving the power to the criminals. Crime, unfortunately can happen everywhere. We need to stick together as parents and students.</p>

<p>Nice link UCLABandMom</p>

<p>I clicked through the first six months of this year. One homicide occured not far from UCLA (Sawtelle in West LA), and one near USC (near the Coliseum).</p>

<p>1-1. I did not see any more risk near the USC campus itself than UCLA… that’s just for six months, but I agree with other posters… there is nowhere in the world completely safe.</p>

<p>Well I just got home and i have just read through the posts. I apologize if I was misinterpreted. My post was not meant in any way to diminish the USC admin, faculty or community, nor the families who have students there. I do know that they put extensive efforts into safety and work within the community. I attended MSMC a few blocks from USC. I am familiar with the area. The community is poor but a proud community, unfortunately there is an element that does increase the crime.
My reaction this morning is the reaction of someone who does get local news and comments from students who attend. My heart goes out to this family and their loss and the news this morning grabbed my heart. Perhaps my reaction came from anothe senseless loss of a young life. My comments about using safety as a priority was OUR list as a family. My son was assaulted at 18 and we are careful. My concern is that many of the big schools are in urban areas that have neighborhoods around them and parents aren’t always aware when taken on the tours. I was actually opening a discussion of how many schools with proud traditions have a difficult task with safety. Albeit I was unclear as it was quite early this morning.
Just some responses to posters…the initial report did say it occurred on campus. It was later stated, after my post, it was just off campus. Much of the housing is just off campus. I know there is crime everywhere, but some areas have more concentration and college students quite often feel invincibles and socialize late and become more vulnerable.
Again my apologies, but I would ask that those who were so quick to judge my intentions also be careful how they post.
May we all remind our students to be safe in all there environments. And pray for this family and their tragic loss.</p>

<p>Not trying to diminish the murder outside USC, but when I was young…and had first moved to Maine from NY state… I never worried about “crime” or issues like that… and I was supposed to drive down to NYC to visit some college roommates…bring down an antique chest for a friend…and I was all worried and worked up about having my “new” car in NYC… would it be broken into…would someone steal stuff out of it… would I have an accident in NYC…
the net of it was that 2 nites before I was to leave for NYC, my car was broken into right outside my apartment, in the parking lot. I was sooo worried about the big city…that it happened right outside my apartment. It was actually a relief to realize that stuff happens and you have to be careful and prudent any and everywhere…up to a point. Live a good life and be SMAAAAART… I had a great time in NYC that weekend… and I learned to be less afraid of the big city.</p>

<p>I’m so sad for this family. He’s a local boy from my city in Idaho and this is our lead story tonight. He’d finished his undergrad at USC in 2007 and was in his second year of grad school there. He was an only child, so this is going to be particularly hard for his family and friends. He must have known the USC area, but was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time. I agree we should not be quick to judge the decisions we make to let our kids attend outstanding schools near rough neighborhoods. I pray every day that my daughter, at a different school in an urban area, will be careful. Not easy for this demographic who see themselves as immortal and invincible.</p>

<p>I cross the intersection where he was killed two or three times a week, at night. Never felt unsafe.</p>

<p>There isn’t very much information on the incident right now except that it was a fist fight that turned into a stabbing. We’ll hear more later I’m sure. Crime has been going down around USC for two years now, it is unfortunate that this happened.</p>

<p>Having lived in two city neighborhoods that are universally considered dangerous, I can tell you that it does effect the attractiveness of the college. However, when looking at schools, it is not always the one prime feature. Many times, the danger can be stemmed by just staying away from those off campus locations.</p>

<p>Mini, I agree with you that kids have more incidents happen to them from fellow student and on campus, but those rates have more to do with the students on campus, and not much to be done about them. Have checked crime blotters on those numbers. You can, however, stay away from schools that are in bad neighborhoods so that kids who want to venture out are not as much at risk, For those schools that do not provide 4 years of housing on campus, this can be a challenge, and one of the features that I used to screen out some schools. </p>

<p>Not that it helps much if you have kids who like going into that part of the city where the “action” is when the “action” is occurring. What you do eliminate is that there is not a forced venturing into that territory.</p>

<p>Son wants to go to USC so this is a bit scary. Although I went to grad school in a terrible neighborhood (finding bullet casings on the street outside our class building, at night) I was in my 20s and did not live there. Worried about (as was mentioned) the invincibility of an 18 yo young man. </p>

<p>Once college apps are sent, I think prepping w/‘common sense’ for self-protective life skills will be on the list.</p>

<p>One good thing for college students—son has gps on his phone. That would eliminate the scenario (son & friends did this) of walking block after block in a city, looking for a music club, and ending up in a very bad neighborhood before turning around.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/453299-robert-morris-u-students-murdered.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/453299-robert-morris-u-students-murdered.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/451364-duke-university-grad-student-murdered-last-night-lived-off-campus.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/451364-duke-university-grad-student-murdered-last-night-lived-off-campus.html&lt;/a&gt;
[The</a> Badger Herald - UW junior found dead in Doty Street home; killer still at large](<a href=“http://badgerherald.com/news/2008/04/03/uw_junior_found_dead.php]The”>http://badgerherald.com/news/2008/04/03/uw_junior_found_dead.php)
[Father</a> of UC Berkeley slaying suspect says his son was attacked by fraternity members - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://articles.latimes.com/2008/may/05/local/me-berkeley5]Father”>Student's slaying reveals two worlds in Berkeley)
[Columbia</a> University student raped and tortured for approx. 19 hours // Current](<a href=“http://current.com/items/89008251_columbia_university_student_raped_and_tortured_for_approx_19_hours]Columbia”>http://current.com/items/89008251_columbia_university_student_raped_and_tortured_for_approx_19_hours)
[University</a> of Missouri student murdered - News](<a href=“http://media.www.webujournal.com/media/storage/paper245/news/2003/11/12/News/University.Of.Missouri.Student.Murdered-559236.shtml]University”>http://media.www.webujournal.com/media/storage/paper245/news/2003/11/12/News/University.Of.Missouri.Student.Murdered-559236.shtml)
[Minot</a> State University Student Murdered - Associated Content](<a href=“http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/272161/minot_state_university_student_murdered.html]Minot”>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/272161/minot_state_university_student_murdered.html)
[Prosecutors:</a> Killer’s own words implicate him in college student’s murder - Courttv.com - Trials](<a href=“http://www.courttv.com/trials/hinton/082205_ctv.html]Prosecutors:”>Court TV - Live Trials, Crime News, Courtroom Reporting)
[The</a> Murder Book 2008: September 2nd – Confession in Pace University student murder…](<a href=“http://tacomaconfidential.typepad.com/the_murder_book_2008/2008/09/september-2nd----confession-in-pace-university-student-murder.html]The”>http://tacomaconfidential.typepad.com/the_murder_book_2008/2008/09/september-2nd----confession-in-pace-university-student-murder.html)
[University</a> of Tampa student murdered - Topix](<a href=“http://www.topix.com/forum/city/palm-harbor-fl/T9VD0OR67I0HQRH0T]University”>http://www.topix.com/forum/city/palm-harbor-fl/T9VD0OR67I0HQRH0T)
[Auburn</a> Student Murdered - Murder Auburn Auburn University Lauren Burk](<a href=“http://www.wkrg.com/local/article/auburn_student_murdered/11086/]Auburn”>http://www.wkrg.com/local/article/auburn_student_murdered/11086/)
[Purdue</a> University Student Murder : Investigation Discovery](<a href=“http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/april21/april21.html]Purdue”>http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/april21/april21.html)
[BSU</a> student murdered - News](<a href=“http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/news/2007/04/05/News/Bsu-Student.Murdered-2823498.shtml]BSU”>http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/news/2007/04/05/News/Bsu-Student.Murdered-2823498.shtml)
[BaldwinCity.com</a> / Murdered Lawrence man was Baker University student](<a href=“http://www2.baldwincity.com/news/2008/jun/10/murdered_lawrence_man_was_baker_university_student/]BaldwinCity.com”>http://www2.baldwincity.com/news/2008/jun/10/murdered_lawrence_man_was_baker_university_student/)
[Arrest</a> made in UNT student’s death | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News](<a href=“http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092807dnmetuntarrest.11834eeca.html]Arrest”>http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092807dnmetuntarrest.11834eeca.html)</p>

<p>I think it’s a little too easy to dismiss the risk of on- or near-campus crime with advice to “be aware of your surroundings” or “be smart and use common sense” or “street savvy students won’t have any problems.” Is there any evidence that this latest murdered kid at USC wasn’t smart or savvy? For all we know he was the savviest kid in the whole school.</p>

<p>Serious crime certainly happens at many colleges, perhaps all colleges given enough time. But it sure doesn’t lower the odds when the school is located in the middle of a tough neighborhood. Seeing the USC security cops and janitors washing the blood off the sidewalk from a broad daylight shooting, as we did last year during our visit to the campus, is pretty sobering.</p>

<p>And it would had been equally sobering if you had seen the car belonging to the murdered student body president in Chapel Hill or the aftermath of the actions of a delusional student who drove his car into a group of students in the Pit at Carolina or the murdered body of the lacrosse player also in Chapel Hill a few years ago.</p>

<p>I don’t want to diminish your feelings. I understand. I live only four or five blocks where Brittany Zimmermann was murdered here in Madison. Bad stuff happens. It happens everywhere. </p>

<p>Unfortunately college students, as do other young people, seem especially vulnerable because of their mistaken belief that nothing bad can happen to them. They don’t lock their doors or windows. They have expensive things, and they leave them laying about. They get into fights. They drink too much. They cross they street in the middle of the block. They drive their cars and mopeds dangerously. Generally they are obvious to their surroundings.</p>

<p>“Mini, I agree with you that kids have more incidents happen to them from fellow student and on campus, but those rates have more to do with the students on campus, and not much to be done about them.”</p>

<p>Huh? You mean to tell me that college administrators can take no action to prevent alcohol-infused rapes and sexual assaults? That they can’t do anything about the tens of thousands of student felons they’ve accepted and to whom they are supposedly providing an education?</p>

<p>“Have checked crime blotters on those numbers.”</p>

<p>More than 90% of these crimes are not reported.</p>

<p>I lived in West Philadelphia for 12 years. We were always shocked with the amount of student-on-student crime that took place ON the Penn campus, not that which took place in the surrounding neighborhood where I lived.</p>

<br>

<br>

<p>Are you suggesting that since bad stuff happens everywhere that the nature of the town surrounding a college is of no consequence to the risks faced by students? If so I have to disagree. To the best of my knowledge, there hasn’t been a student murdered on or near campus at my alma mater (UC Davis) since the early 1980s. Not all college towns and neighborhoods are of equal risk.</p>

<p>I agree that schools can do things to prevent such tragic events, which is why USC has some of the following programs:</p>

<p>USC Men Care: [USC</a> MenCARE | Home](<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/mencare/]USC”>http://sait.usc.edu/mencare/)
This is a program to teach men how to be proactive in preventing sexual assault and rape on campus. These are taught to men so that they can stop suspicious things happening at parties and in other circumstances. </p>

<p>Also : [USC</a> Center for Women & Men](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/index.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/index.html)
This is a center for those who have experienced gender related harm. It is definitely true that incidents of this type of campuses go vastly under-reported, often times because students don’t want to go through the difficult processes of reporting and dealing with the crime. This center helps students discover their options and offers counseling and support. They also have a 24 hour a day support line.</p>

<p>Finally, RAD Training: <a href=“https://capsnet.usc.edu/DPS/CrimePrevention/RadRegForm.cfm[/url]”>https://capsnet.usc.edu/DPS/CrimePrevention/RadRegForm.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This teaches female students how to defend themselves in bad situations, and also how to avoid those situations in the first place.</p>

<p>Yes, horrible things happen, but at least the university takes significant steps to try to prevent these things from happening again.</p>

<p>My S is at USC & my D will be joining him IN January. We know that there are bad things that happen everywhere–in the US & world. It is very sad when anyone is a victim of violence, but I am still comfortable with my kids at USC. S has never reported feeling afraid in the 2+ years he’s been there & I expect D will also be fine.
You can live in fear and try to find the safest options or just live your life as well as you can with your eyes open. I am comfortable that USC does an excellent job of providing a safe environment for its students, tho it unfortunately prevent or stop all acts of violence.</p>