Whether the advice came from Granny, a roommate or a passing Department of Public Safety officer, each of us has been warned not to walk alone on campus at night. We receive handy-if-startling e-mail crime updates. And, we’ve all probably assumed, if even for a second, that theft or mugging will never happen to us.

But despite all of the warnings, notifications and reaffirmations of our precarious security, a recent rash of robberies at Saint Louis University has left students wondering whether we are safe on own campus.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, for example, a student was robbed at approximately 3 a.m. near the University Loft Apartments on Laclede Avenue. Since Aug. 10, eight different automobiles have been stolen from surface parking lots on the fringes of campus, only to be stripped of valuables and “dumped” at off-site locations.

Despite SLU’s commitment to making our campus crime-free, acts of thievery seem to be creeping up throughout the community.

Though it may be tempting to say, “Where were the police when these things were stolen?” we are not blaming DPS for these incidents . We do live in an urban environment and, many times, there is nothing DPS can do to prevent them, especially if officers are elsewhere.

That’s not to say that they’re slacking off: SLU has the third-largest police force in Missouri, and there are 30 officers patrolling the campus from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.; it would seem that we are covered from dusk till dawn.

While DPS might not be able to control all robberies that take place on campus, it can take measures to prevent some of them. Officers plan to use undercover police, increased patrols and “bait” vehicles with GPS tracking systems inside to do just that. Still, they can do better to arm students with knowledge about how to handle sticky situations that might arise.

Let’s have some more targeted advice. What are the places on campus where the most robberies have transpired? What were the circumstances? Which populations at SLU students are targeted for robbery, and why?

In light of this information, we have a few reminders for all students:

* Know where the problem spots are, and avoid walking there alone late at night. There is always a way to avoid potentially troublesome areas on campus.

* Everyone is vulnerable. Most thieves do not see class, gender or creed when targeting an individual or a group.

* Don’t walk home intoxicated.

* If in doubt, call 977-RIDE (or 977-3000) for a free ride or escort service from DPS. There’s nothing uncool about safety.

With more information from DPS and a better awareness of our surroundings, students can make sure that their SLU experience is a safe one.