Leaders from across the borough will meet today to share their ideas on an increasingly important community issue: safety.

The 16th annual Town Day, held from 1 to 4 this afternoon in the Barclay Banquet Room at the Days Inn, 240 S. Pugh St., will bring together town and campus representatives to discuss issues of off-campus concern.

The Organization for Town Independent Students is sponsoring the event.

Keynote speaker David Caster, the community relations and crime and loss-prevention specialist for the borough police, will give a presentation titled, "Realities about Crime in State College."

Caster said traditional student apathy about safety makes this topic important in State College.

Because the borough does not seem as dangerous as a larger, more metropolitan area, residents believe -- often falsely -- that they cannot be victimized in State College.

"People either aren't aware of or concerned about safety issues, and that's why crime occurs," OTIS President Judy Falce said, adding that Town Day combats this problem of community apathy.

Four panelists will address the safety issue interacting with the audience in a talk-show approach, she said. Panelists include:

-- Bill Welch, newly elected borough councilman and the former editor of the Centre Daily Times.

-- Dorothy Colton, vice president of Associated Realty.

-- Robyn Walls, director of the Undergraduate Student Government Department of Safety.

-- Jeff Moreci, student counselor and escort.

The panelists will offer different perspectives on safety and will address both personal and property safety concerns, Falce said.

"Safety is something that concerns all the students, not just a handful," said Dave Yost, a member of OTIS.

Yost said rather than a lecture, Town Day instead will encourage participation so students can receive answers to specific questions and concerns.

Involvement in OTIS's Town Day will provide students and members of the community with greater security, Caster said.

"If we work as a community, we can either reduce the crime problem or prevent it, keeping Happy Valley, as they say, happy," he said.

Sponsors expect a turnout of 70 to 80 people.