Making people aware that crime exists in Happy Valley and getting them to take steps to prevent it are the biggest factors impeding crime prevention, said one local official.
"Apathy is our biggest problem in getting people to prevent crime," said David Caster, State College Bureau of Police Services Specialist in Crime Prevention. "By taking simple precautions they can greatly reduce the risk of crime."
Crime happens often in State College, Caster said. He said many crimes can be prevented by using common sense. One-half of the burglaries in 1987 could have been prevented just by locking doors, Caster said.
"The big problem is people tend to forget that crime happens in Happy Valley," Caster said. "People have to use the same common sense rules for safety here that they use at home."
State College police crime statistics for 1987 include one murder, 13 rapes, five armed robberies, 60 aggravated assaults, 215 burglaries and 1,788 thefts.
The University Department of Police Services reported one rape, one robbery, 16 assaults, 108 burglaries and 963 thefts.
Sherri Rutolo, president of the Organization for Town and Independent Students, said students should be aware of these statistics and take steps to avoid being victimized.
"Sure, this might be Happy Valley, but crime still occurs here," Rutolo said. "I think a lot of people are becoming more aware, but they have to realize that it (crime) can happen to anyone. Don't think it can't happen to YOU."
University and State College police as well as OTIS provide numerous pamphlets that can help people deter crime. Rutolo said the brochures are distributed widely on campus.
A student escort service is available 24 hours a day for students walking on- and off-campus at night, according to the Undergraduate Student Government night map. To make arrangements for an escort, call 863-2465 between 4 p.m. and midnight.
The night map, which defines areas to avoid when walking on campus at night, is available at the OTIS office in the HUB. OTIS is also working on a similar night map for town.
"We have the area mapped out but the problem we're running into is funding," Rutolo said.
The University is in the process of hiring a victim/witness advocate whose duties include crime prevention education and helping victims of crime. David Stormer, director of the University police said the advocate will be named by the end of next week.
Along with using the night map and various services and reading brochures, Caster and Rutolo offer the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:
-- Lock your doors, even if you are just going out to empty the trash or visit friends in the next apartment.
-- Engrave your belongings with your driver's license identification number. Engravers can be used at the Borough Municipal Building, 118 S. Fraser St., and at the University Department of Police Services, Grange Building.
-- Do not allow strangers into your home. A security chain or peep-hole in your door will allow you to identify someone who knocks.
