Halloween is over and, surprisingly, ended without pepper spray or riots — an achievement that students and city officials should be proud of. With that said, it is now time for Madison officials to put away their riot gear and return to the more pertinent issues facing the downtown area. Just because Halloween weekend saw a minimal amount of crime compared to years past does not mean that we are in the clear. Crime here in Madison, just as in any other city, is an issue we cannot afford to ignore.
The recent months have been plagued with violence of all types, from break-ins to robberies to sexual assaults. Just this week, a girl was sleeping on her couch when she awoke to an assailant holding a knife to her neck. And that is without even broaching the entire disaster that was Club Majestic.
Whereas most of the crimes have occurred in downtown areas that are flooded with student apartments, Langdon Street has been under particular scrutiny for poor lighting and an absence of surveillance. Following an attack on a student who lived on Langdon, several columnists, as well as The Badger Herald editorial board, urged the city to make changes and help to ensure the safety of UW students. Instead of seeking out underage drinkers at local bars, police officers should be hitting the streets on high alert for potentially dangerous situations.
Much to the surprise of doubtful students, the city responded well and there has since been a noticeable increase in the number of cops downtown, as well as a general feeling of strong police presence in the most dangerous areas. Don't get me wrong, drinking tickets are still signed weekly, but there are unarguably more cops keeping watch on the city and students.
City officials also took part in a survey of working streetlights throughout the downtown area. Upon determining lights that were either broken, overtaken by shrubbery or just plain non-existent, they took action and brought light to many of our streets.
The city of Madison has done a good job addressing the crime problem, and although there is still work to do, Halloween did, if nothing else, remove some of the skepticism surrounding the police department.
Despite these improvements, the UW Greek system has formulated a plan to institute a neighborhood watch consisting of fraternity and sorority members. In a press release from the Madison Police Department Nov. 1, Greek members are not "asked to take on a confrontational or law enforcement role" but instead "become a highly visible presence" on the street. Greeks will begin patrolling on the evening of Nov. 3, and will continue the surveillance every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the rest of the academic year. It was also noted that Greek members are the major advocates for the implementation of emergency safety light stations on Langdon.
Although the plan has good intentions, I question both the appropriateness of Greek members performing such an important job as well as the potentially dangerous repercussions of the system. A neighborhood watch program manned by college students should be a last result for a city like ours. After all, we are not paying tuition to take over the responsibilities of a police department, especially one that has been stepping up to the plate and listening to students' concerns.
The types of violent crimes have ranged from sexual assaults of young women to the battery of young men. Many have been extremely violent and the choice of victims has proven the age-old stereotype wrong: Men can get attacked, too. Furthermore, walking in groups does not always protect students from danger, as gang violence often has no rhyme or reason. So, who is to say that assailants won't just see the patrolling Greeks as a perfect target, rather than a deterrent?
In a deserted community with little violence, I understand the point and the effectiveness of a neighborhood watch. But it is frustrating to think that Madison residents are so out of touch with the reality of living in a city that they think they can take this situation into their own hands. By doing so, they are essentially removing much of the pressure that has helped mobilize the police force and lessen downtown crime rates.
Yes, an increase in the number of people on Langdon Street will probably make residents feel safer. But will they actually be safer? It's doubtful. Examining the history of attacks leads me to believe that safety is not in the numbers, but in police enforcement.
Emily Friedman ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in journalism and legal studies.
