Students should remain vigilant, not be alarmed by campus safety
By: Jennifer King

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Despite a few serious incidents involving theft and other crimes on campus, campus police say there is nothing to get alarmed about when it comes to student safety at Northwest.

At Senatobia, there have been a few events of crime on and around campus this semester and campus police are warning students to practice safety and be aware of their surroundings in order to prevent further incidents.
The week before fall break, an attempted armed robbery occurred near campus on Highway 51. The victim described the suspect as a black male, 5’4 to 5’7 and wearing a black hooded jacket.

“Recently, we have also experienced two incidents where an individual has asked to borrow a cell phone from someone and then has run away with the phone.  Please do not allow anyone you are not familiar with to use your cell phone,” Campus Police Chief Al Dodson advised.

 There have been two auto thefts this semester but both vehicles were later recovered in Memphis.
“The vehicles were early 1980s model Chevrolets, modified, both with 22” rims,” Dodson said.  “One theft occurred during daylight hours and one in the evening.  Similar thefts of cars with the same make and model have been reported in our region.”

One of the suspects in connection with the auto thefts was arrested by the Senatobia Police.
On a more positive note Dodson said that the liquor law and drug law violations have seen a dramatic decrease in the past three years as over half of the violations have dissipated.  In 2006 the liquor violations were at 76 but in 2008 they had dropped to just 38.  The drug violations were at 30 in 2006 but in 2008 that number had dropped to 20. 

In an effort to provide extra training for campus police, four of Northwest’s police officers completed a Gang Awareness program and are continually upgrading their education on how to fight crime and protect students.
In an effort to let campus police at DeSoto Center make more efficient use of their time, Marilyn Allen, secretary was transferred to that campus to relieve officers of their administrative duties. Melissa Kovarcik, operations coordinator on the Senatobia campus, assumed duties previously preformed by Allen.

There is an anonymous hotline that any student can call anytime to report information about crimes or suspicious activities. The number for the hotline can be found on the Police and Public Safety page on the Northwest Web site.

Dodson assures all students that he is the only one who can access any anonymous information that you may have.

“Feel free to contact the campus police if you feel threatened or in danger or see someone else who may need the help of the police,” Dodson said. “We are here to protect the students.”

For more information regarding crime on college campuses, visit the following link: www.securityoncampus.org .

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