<p>Check out this campaign some students have started regarding TUPD's insufficient presence in the neighborhood surrounding Tulane. "We want a safer off campus environment for students." Sign the petition if you get a chance!</p>
<p>Petition:</a> Tulane University: We want a safer off campus environment for students. | Change.org</p>
<p>It does seem that, after several years of declining crime in the immediate Tulane area, there have been more incidents lately. I haven’t studied the actual data, but that certainly is my perception and therefore I imagine the perception of many, and that is all it takes. While it is still very safe relative to many other campuses in urban areas, the goal has to be as little violent and/or menacing crime as possible, and it can certainly be better than it was this last semester.</p>
<p>Hopefully between the new head of TUPD and the NOPD they can get this under control quickly. Tulane is still the largest private employer in New Orleans and an extremely important lynchpin in the city’s comeback. This needs to be taken care of now.</p>
<p>What timing! I just ordered pepper spray for my dd. She is fearful at night walking back to her dorm from the library after dark.</p>
<p>2 armed robberies w/in 1 block of S2’s apt (oak st). Someone also broke into his house while he was sleeping and stole his computer. I have been all over him about being aware of his surroundings, locking his doors and windows etc.</p>
<p>My DS said he thought Tulane and Loyola shared a police department. Is this accurate?</p>
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I’ve had to walk from the library to the parking garage (which is past all the dorms) multiple times and I haven’t felt unsafe.</p>
<p>I’ve never felt unsafe on or off campus, even wandering around at 3AM. That being said, I’ve always been in groups when I’ve been off campus at night and I don’t live off campus.</p>
<p>Here is the TUPD Crime Alert Report, [Tulane</a> University - Crime Alerts](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/publicsafety/crime-alerts.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/publicsafety/crime-alerts.cfm)
as well as a recent article [Armed</a> robberies near Tulane and Loyola prompt changes in security efforts | NOLA.com](<a href=“http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/12/armed_robberies_near_tulane_an.html]Armed”>http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/12/armed_robberies_near_tulane_an.html) about the safety issues around the Tulane and Loyola campuses. Additionally, we should not negate the fact that New Orleans has one of the highest violent crime rates of most metropolitan areas in the country (well above the national average). There are two perspectives…one of a student and one of a parent. My son and our family love Tulane and we are thrilled that he is there. However, I do not want to minimize the issue with regard to the number of incidents involving crimes with weapons on the perimeter of campus. I understand that when students are in the French Quarter, they are part of the “city”, however, we need to increase the safety area around the perimeter of Tulane and Loyola so the students can walk within this contained area (4 blocks around the perimeter of each campus?) and minimize the chances of a crime occurring.</p>
<p>I want to underline for anyone considering attending Tulane…we LOVE that our son is at Tulane and more importantly, he loves being at Tulane. If I had another child ready to attend college, I would highly encourage them to attend Tulane. However, in my opinion, we need to address this issue to make the Tulane experience even greater than it is today.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Tyler15. Well said. For the last few years Tulane was able to correctly claim that the crime was far from campus, and that the uptown area was pretty much an oasis from that. The uptick this semester is a warning that Tulane and the city need to nip this before it gets worse.</p>
<p>At the same time it is always incumbent on people to take common sense precautions. I just read today that two women were raped about a mile from Tulane at 3:00 AM. I am not blaming the victims, but at that hour one should always be taking a taxi or getting some kind of protected ride, not walking poorly lit streets.</p>
<p>Two women were raped last night, less than 500 feet from where I live on campus. The man threatened to kill the other girl if she didn’t come along–he raped one, and then the other. This is getting so incredibly sad.</p>
<p>[It's</a> Not Enough | A campaign for a safer Tulane.](<a href=“Safe Ride | It's Not Enough”>http://itsnotenoughnola.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/)</p>
<p>There are several positive steps Tulane is taken regarding security. Patrols outside the campus were doubled (though from when to when I don’t know). Safe Ride drivers will call riders (twice) in order to avoid waits outside. Tulane is working with the city and the power company to increase lighting off-campus and to install blue-lights. The University has tripled the number of sponsored on- and off-campus activities. They provide the off-campus transportation to the activities.</p>
<p>I am glad students are voicing their opinions in the It’s Not Enough campaign. However, my two cents is that there is not a choice between having police focus on either drunken students or violent criminals. Drunken students may, unfortunately, attract criminals because they are easier targets. Drunken students may also commit criminal acts. Additionally, there isn’t much of a benefit to a university attracting students because of a “party school” image.</p>
<p>[Tulane</a> University - TU police superintendent takes charge](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/011712_barnwell.cfm?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=riptide.me-email&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=awesm-publisher#.TxWQ17NZEA8.link]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/011712_barnwell.cfm?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=riptide.me-email&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=awesm-publisher#.TxWQ17NZEA8.link)</p>
<p>I saw that article also, 2in2Mom. I like the idea of creating a number of “safe zones” that are super well lit and extra patrolled for the areas that are frequently used by students. Campus to Maple and Oak Streets for example. Sounds like a good start, and hopefully they can build on that to just make it too risky for the criminals to come Uptown.</p>
<p>I was in New Orleans last night and drove all around the outside of the campus where many 3rd and 4th year students live. There are a significant number of street lights that are not working or partially working. If the street lights were “100% working” it would really make a difference. The city of New Orleans is aware of the complaints being lodged by Tulane parents. It was in the city paper. Keep the complaints flowing!</p>
<p>Good to know, smile! That seems utterly ridiculous to not have every light working, it is such an easy fix! Makes me shake my head. You better believe I will be calling Mayor Landrieu’s office tomorrow, as well as finding out who is in charge of the department for street lighting.</p>
<p>The latest weekly message from Scott Cowen:</p>
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<p>Any update to report regarding your call to the Mayor’s office regarding the street lights not being in proper working order?</p>
<p>Well, as expected I didn’t talk directly to Mayor Landrieu. I spoke with his “chief of staff” (not sure what the correct title is) and they gave me a fairly stock response that they are aware of the issues and are working on correcting the situation, are very concerned, recognize the importance of Tulane to the city, etc. etc. I basically said that actions are all that matter at this point and that we are definitely watching, as are many people that have made a huge investment in New Orleans and Tulane, and not just monetarily. The only sincere thing I think I got out of the conversation is that they are working closely with the Tulane and Loyola administrations and are committed to making uptown as safe as possible. I think they do recognize that they need at least one major area of the parish to be as “normal” and crime free as possible. But there is no question we all need to keep their feet to the fire and get on them if those street lights are not operational within a few weeks.</p>
<p>Well, I guess the person was giving me the straight stuff. It does appear that Tulane is reacting to the situation with effort and what seem to be logical actions. Obviously time will tell if it is enough.</p>
<p>[Tulane</a> considers additional security measures | wwltv.com New Orleans](<a href=“http://www.wwltv.com/news/Tulane-considers-additional-security-measures-138007298.html]Tulane”>http://www.wwltv.com/news/Tulane-considers-additional-security-measures-138007298.html)</p>