The recent number of Clery release emails that have filled the inboxes of students on campus are directly related to the increasing number of assaults that have taken place since the school year has begun. Although the MU Police Department makes a strong effort to spread awareness in both an appropriate and timely matter, there is more that could be done to solve the issue.
Since the start of the school year there have been three assaults classified in the Clery release system, meaning they present an ongoing threat to students. MU alerts the entire campus through its email system, required by the Clery Act, which makes schools receiving federal financial aid liable to communicate crime on campus.
MUPD’s records state that the reported assault on Aug. 20 occurred around 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of College Avenue and Rollins Street. Three black males, appearing to be between 17 and 22 years of age, approached the female victim before one of them struck her left cheek. Just five days later, a white male was assaulted in a parking lot at approximately 1 a.m. He, too, was struck in the face. Most recently, on Sept. 1, there was a report of a sexual assault. A black male attacked the female victim at night in the Virginia Avenue Garage.
MUPD has been working with the victims of each case to get more information about the suspect and make sure the victims get the help they need. I couldn’t imagine going through something like this, especially being forced to recall the incident over and over again, so I find the victims brave.
Then again, I find anyone walking outside at night by themselves brave, because these assaults occurred all throughout the summer. Around 2 a.m. on Aug. 8, the police were notified of an assault on University Avenue. The female victim was walking by herself when the suspect grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to the ground, MUPD reported. In the news release from this assault, MUPD took the time to reaffirm some safety tips. They seem to chalk up this influx of crime to the increase in movement between downtown and East Campus, which is expected. But when Boone County’s registered sex offenders list reaches 277 people, it’s hard to say that the area is any better off without students moving on and off campus.
Anyone can access the sex offender registry, thanks to the Jacob Wetterling Act, which began the process of registration, and Megan’s Law, which allowed the once-private information to be public. In just 2000, the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act was passed, allowing for the tracking of convicted sex offenders who attend a university, work at a university or volunteer at one.
I used to feel at ease knowing sex offenders could not live within 1,000 feet of schools, but upon learning that the Missouri Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to enforce the rule for offenders who were convicted prior to the rule’s institution, I’m quite frankly worried about how easy it is for any assault to occur on campus.
The U.S. Department of Justice statistics have recorded that 67 percent of sexual assault victims are younger than 18 years old. It is a misperception to think these assaults on campus are the work of strangers, like the 200-plus men on the sex offender list, because in reality, almost two-thirds of victims know their attackers.
[According to MUPD’s website,](http://www.mupolice.com/clery/index.php) the department has issued approximately eight Clery releases in relation to assault and sexual misconduct since 2011. Compared to our neighbor, the University of Kansas, these numbers are high. Last year, Kansas’ Office of Public Safety reported its campus crime was on a continuing decline — a 26 percent gap from 2001. Compared to our running list of assaults already in the school year, they had only two “violent crimes” in 2011: an aggravated assault and a robbery.
Though I admit that I am not familiar with the process MUPD uses to handle crime on campus, I am in full support of Kansas’ tactics they say contributed to their success. For example, our number of security cameras must continue to grow, which will aid in finding the suspects. Like MU, KU’s police department likes to emphasize its safety tips, but its Clery releases also include a compiled photograph of what the suspect may look like. If these detailed images were sent out with our releases, MUPD could better inform students on campus of who to perceive as a threat, and in return, can get possible bystander testimonies.