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Last week’s allegation that a woman was assaulted on campus created an air of danger. It presented a valid question for students, is the campus truly safe?Despite the fact that the victim recanted her statement, students should still be keeping their safety in mind.

Just because the incident did not actually happen does not mean that it will never happen.

The scenario described could occur in any dark pocket of PCC to any student walking alone.

Students cannot be comforted by a false sense of security now that the report has been deemed a sham.

At any time your safety may be at risk and you must take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe at all times.

Should Campus Police let their guard down during a lull in crime? Of course not, and neither should students.

Some suggest that the PCC Police Department should take significant measures to ensure that this crime would never happen. In such situations it is simple to point fingers at the flaws in the department. Some people feel Campus Police are undermanned at night as result of budget cuts. Some believe they are ill-equipped to handle confrontational situations without firearms. Others believe that surveillance cameras throughout campus would be key.

But none of these provide solutions to prevent an attack from happening and no amount of manpower can ensure that the entire campus is safe from assailants.

Students must realize that safety does not start with Campus Police but with themselves. They should remember basic safety tips in order to protect themselves.

Regardless of how quickly Campus Police may respond, self-defense is key. As the days shorten, caution should be exercised in all situations.

Remember the old adage that safety comes in numbers? It is sound advice. Walk in groups in well-lit areas; do not take a shortcut if it is in an unoccupied area. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Avoid walking with earphones in so you can hear approaching footsteps. Accompany each other to cars or call for an escort from Campus Police.

Alert campus police if you see a suspicious person. Spread the word and be vigilant; you are responsible for your own safety.

The Campus Police has enough resources to maintain a safe environment for students: emergency phones, 24/7 dispatchers. But the key to using these resources is knowing the phone number for police.

If dialing from a campus phone, dial 911. If you are calling from a cell phone dial (626) 585-7484. Remember that if you dial 911 from a cell phone you will be redirected many times, wasting valuable minutes.

There is never a right time to employ safety tips; students should always putting safety as their top priority.

This discussion shouldn’t be sparked because of a report of an attack.

It should be an active conversation between students and those whose job it is to protect the campus.

There needs to be a sense of solidarity within the campus community. We must look out for each other to ensure our collective safety.

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