Editorial: Take advantage of underutilized resources in wake of crimes
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 12, 2010 9:00 p.m.
The recent sexual assault of a woman outside Delta Terrace adds to an already long list of disturbing incidents this year, including multiple robberies at gunpoint, a gang-related stabbing on Midvale Avenue, and the fall stabbing in Young Hall.
These events, combined with the decline of Westwood’s appearance, have left this board with a deep sense of apprehension about the safety and health of our community. While the level of violent crime this year is not abnormally high, it’s undeniable that the community simply doesn’t feel as safe any more.
While there is no simple solution to making our neighborhood more secure, this board urges the public to take advantage of the underutilized resources that exist to support students.
We also call on the UCLA administration to respond quickly to these incidents by taking steps to expand the existing resources and take new precautions to ensure safety. The newly formed Westwood Neighborhood Council also has a role to play; lighting our storefronts and filling our streets is important in making a safer community.
Mental health is at the root of safety. Many UCLA students remain unaware of the multiple resources available to them. UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential individualized therapy and psychiatric care and a range of wellness programs and hotlines. The Center for Women & Men provides several services including programs and trainings on conflict, self-defense and rape prevention education.
These services are efficient, effective and underutilized. This board understands that students feel self-conscious about using these programs, but this reticence should be overcome, especially in light of recent events. These programs exist for the purpose of deterring such incidents, and mental health is a vital facet of student safety and security.
We also ask that UCLA administrators consider expanding the hours of the escort service, which currently run from dusk to 1 a.m. Those are not the hours of college students; many student activities finish long after 1 a.m. The most important hours for an escort service are between 1 a.m., when it is unlikely other students will be walking home, until 5:30 a.m., when student traffic to the Wooden Center begins again.
There are a variety of other steps which can be taken to ensure student safety. For example, the lighting of dark areas, as was done with Saxon Steps last year. The Westwood Neighborhood Council should take similar steps in the North Village, where most thefts occur.
When crimes occur, there’s often nowhere to point the finger ““ there is no glaring infrastructural or administrative failure to vilify or a cure-all solution to advocate.
Thus, we must respond with increased vigilance and preparation.
A professional CAPS crisis counselor can be reached at any time at 310-825-0768. Escort services can be reached at 310-794-9255.
