Members of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and State College Mayor Bill Welch should be applauded for coming together to address the situations of assaults in the borough. Adding lights and the possible installation of surveillance cameras on Calder Way were mentioned as remedies.

Certainly the addition of lights on Calder Way would go a long way to making that area safer. It is dark and people may not be able to see a potential attacker.

But, installing surveillance cameras is a thornier issue. These cameras are very expensive and their effectiveness is not well known. Criminals do not seem to be dissuaded from performing illegal acts, despite the presence of a camera.

District Attorney Ray Gricar said, "We see videotapes of people committing crimes with no disguises in convenience stores and banks, where generally people know there are cameras." USG President Ian Rosenberger echoed similar sentiments, saying sexual assault is a people problem and if people wants to sexually assault someone, a camera won't not stop them.

The State College Borough Council justified the installation of cameras in Beaver Canyon as a response to the riots in that area. The rationale for using them on Calder Way is quite different, as they are crimes caused by individuals not by a mob. Financially speaking, using cameras is cheaper than having actual officers patrol the streets. But in terms of deterrence, the physical presence of police officers is much greater than the cameras.

Cameras are not a preventive solution; they're an investigative tool. They will not help people walking in Calder Way identify danger, but they could help police identify criminals. However, the key word is "could."

No figures have been released as to how well cameras identify criminals on the street. Before deciding on any course of action, council should investigate the effectiveness of the cameras on lessening the instances of crime. The installation of cameras on Calder Way is not free. It cost the borough $40,000 to cover a small section of Beaver Avenue. This money could be better spent on a different solution.

Even if cameras are installed, funds must be allocated to community awareness. People must know the dangers of the area and what they can do to protect themselves and others.

Technology can help alleviate the problem of sexual assaults, but it is up to the members of the community to solve it.