The Saint Louis University campus is an ever-expanding, ever-changing entity. As the campus continues to grow and evolve, one of the most important aspects that must also continue to expand and change is the security on and around campus.

The Department of Public Safety recently wished farewell to longtime leader Jack Titone, who had helped to secure the SLU campus and make it a much safer place to live and learn. But the campus is far from perfect and still experiences criminal activity and, shockingly, assault. Constant vigilance and constant improvements regarding campus safety are always needed. Sam Simon has a challenge ahead of himself to keep SLU a safe place for students, faculty and all members of the University community.

Recently, there was a sexual assault on the boundaries of SLU’s campus. This event is clearly shocking and disappointing to many in the SLU community. Though the assault did not technically take place directly on University property, it raises issues concerning student safety on and around the campus.

Students should not be alone when they walk home at night. SLU is an urban campus and is not closed to the general public-anyone can walk onto campus and is free to walk on the sidewalks that border University property. Using common sense is vital for students to help DPS in maintaining their personal safety. Friends don’t let friends walk home alone at night.

There are some dark and mysterious areas on campus that are too far from emergency call buttons and more populated sections of campus. On such an urban campus, all areas should be well lit and patrolled often by DPS.

Some particularly troublingly dark spots on campus include Laclede Street in front of the Marchetti Towers and around the Grand Forest neighborhood. Any sidewalk other than the main Mall on campus could benefit from more lighting and closer emergency call buttons.

Though lighting is sometimes dim on parts of campus, it is important that students realize DPS is always available to escort them to and from campus locations. If a student ever feels uncomfortable walking alone, one need only contact DPS at 977-3000. But herein lies another problem.

Often students are moving to apartments or houses located within walking distance of the main campus, but not on a DPS-patrolled route. Though Grand Center and the Midtown area are becoming safer and more populated, students should continue to use their common sense and never walk home alone.

Only in a joint effort between DPS, students, faculty, staff and the surrounding SLU community can we make our home as safe as possible.