MSA aims to improve off-campus safety

Data show little difference in on- and off-campus safety.

By Krissy Tripp

Published July 8, 2009

The Missouri Students Association is providing solutions to East Campus and Greektown after receiving complaints.

According to the MU Police Department's collection of data from the MU campus and surrounding areas, the off-campus areas near MU are no more dangerous than MU property. In fact, MU often had more crime reports than the adjacent areas.

MUPD Captain Brian Weimer said the Columbia Police Department sends MUPD information for reports or arrests adjacent to MU property.

A Greektown safety walk is done annually along with the campus safety walk. Although East Campus isn't part of either walk, Director of Student Services Ryan Senciboy said it's possible to add the area if necessary.

"What we may do in the future is expand the Greektown safety walk," he said. "It's very short, so I think we have plenty of room to expand and maybe add another route to it."

MSA President Jordan Paul said he doesn't think adding East Campus to the safety walk route will be necessary since most problems within Greektown can be applied to East Campus areas. He also said he wants to focus more on Greektown than East Campus because it's inhabited completely by MU students.

It is difficult for MSA to initiate change on property that doesn't belong to MU.

There's also an issue of accountability on a case-by-case basis.

"It's sort of a touchy subject," Paul said.

If necessary, MSA could go to city hall with clear plans for future improvements.

Paul said MSA can go to City Council or other sources to help Greektown become a safer place, but since many of the houses don't always agree on what they want fixed, MSA plans to make information available instead.

"With information, they can decide what they want rather than us speaking on their behalf," Paul said.

The Greektown safety report, which will include Greek input as well as that from those on the walk, is yet to be finished, but Senciboy said issues with sidewalks and lighting stood out the most to him.

"Lighting is always a big issue in Greektown and it's probably the largest obstacle because it's not very cheap to replace," Senciboy said.

Paul said one of the most cost-effective ideas being tossed around is adding floodlights or motion sensor lights to the houses since so many students take short cuts in the dark areas between houses.

Also, two emergency phones are being added to key spots in Greektown before the fall term begins in August. As explained in a previous Maneater article, if the e-phones are successful, MSA will look for expansion plans to places such as further north on Rollins and Fifth streets and Stewart and Providence streets.

The e-phones are being paid for by the equipments fund.

MSA is also looking into the possibility and funding options for another pedestrian bridge similar to the one over Providence, which cost $1.2 million.

Also, starting Aug. 1, East Campus trash pick-up will be on Mondays rather than Wednesdays.

"Hopefully not having trash lying around for days after everyone parties on the weekend will help the smell and look of east campus," Paul said. "Not to mention the health and bacteria issues associated with leaving trash out for days."