Page 38 - The Flame

Issues

Photo by ZHEA KATRINA R. ESTRADA

Theft, assault still rampant

Thomasians remain periled

despite decline in crime rate

By CHRISTINE DIANE R. ALMANZOR and CELINDA A. MERCADO
Statistics from the University Security Office showed that the number of reported crimes inside the
campus has been decreasing gradually since 2008. Efforts to maintain the campus safe for Thoma-
sians heightened to a new level through the deployment of civilian and patrolling guards inside
and outside the University premises, not to mention the 16 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras
appended on the University walls. Despite heightened measures to ensure the safety of students,
crimes like theft and assault are still being reported to the Security Office.

cademic year 2008-2009 recorded 70 cases of crimes com- Despite this decline, various crimes are still reported to have
mitted inside the campus, while only 66 cases were report- been occurring within the University’s premises. An example of a
Aed the following year. Last academic year was a safer year modus operandi that victimized a fourth year Economics student
for Thomasians as the figure dropped and cut almost into half who requested anonymity occurred last September.
with 37 reported incidents. This academic year, only 18 reported The student narrated that while she was walking along Dapi-
cases were accounted for as of the first semester. tan at around nine in the morning; two girls approached her and

38 | FLAME