"I think it's a shame that of 40,000 students at Penn State, only about 200 commit these crimes, yet they have such an impact on the community," said Schuhmann, a member of the Highlands Civic Association. "It really is a shame, but I think it's great that students are getting involved and trying to help the problem."

Schuhmann said the crime rate in the area soared a couple years ago but has decreased slightly since Sept. 11, 2001.

"It seemed that every Thursday through Sunday night, the whole neighborhood was under attack," he said. "I've lived in Houston, New York and Phoenix, and the crime is far worse here."

While on patrol, the interns will assist police in detecting criminal activities such as disorderly conduct, vandalism, underage drinking, assault and sexual assault.

A report at Penn State's Board of Trustees meeting on Friday showed that students reported 37 sexual assaults last semester, with 29 of them downtown. Many of those assaults occurred in the Highlands neighborhood, bounded by Highland Alley, South Atherton Street, Hamilton Avenue and University Drive.

The interns will be equipped with cellular telephones and will wear gold shirts and dark green jackets displaying the State College Neighborhood Watch logo.

Lopinsky said plans to implement the program began nine months ago.

Although this is the first semester for this program, the crime, law and justice department has had interns work for the police department for many years.

"We've always had interns with State College police," said Karen Sones, crime, law and justice internship coordinator. "In the past, students have participated in ride-alongs with officers and were assigned to various departments including records and shadowing detectives throughout the semester."

Sones said the program has sparked an interest for many students within the department.

"We had about six or eight students apply for the program this semester, but only four were chosen," she said.

With four students serving as interns this semester, the program could easily increase or decrease in the number of participants, depending on need and interest.

"We haven't had any problems thus far; we are just working out some of the kinks," Lopinsky said. "If I could, I would run the program 24/7."

Each semester, the interns selected will complete eight hours of classroom training, a mandatory ride-along with a nightshift patrol officer and a certification for pepper spray and self-defense.

In addition to this training, the students will learn about various topics such as police history, testifying in court and numerous offenses, Lopinsky said.

"The students participate in down-to-earth learning about law enforcement," Lopinsky said. "Their jobs are similar to those of patrol officers; they observe, detect and report crime."

Sones said the department has already begun advertising for students to intern in the program during the summer.

While it is too soon to determine whether or not the program has been successful, State College police are optimistic.

"We are hoping that in the traditional spirit of neighborhood watch that this program will help to reduce crime," Lopinsky said.