Over the past few weeks, there have been several incidents of violent crime, including homicides, batteries and robberies, that have unfortunately impacted Loyola students and other Rogers Park community members. More recently, two men were murdered only a few blocks away from Lakeshore campus. The Chicago Police Department concluded that the same gun was used in both shootings by the same offender. While this is probably not new information to you, it is still important to be aware and vigilant of your surroundings, on and off campus, at all times. I was interested in hearing what some students had to say about these unfortunate crimes. Read their thoughts below:
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“My thoughts as a commuter are just that now I am too scared to leave my night class alone and get on the L. The threat level was present before, but now it’s even more apparent. It’s affecting when I leave school and everything that happens in between.” –Katrina Demas, third-year
“It’s a scary situation that we’re in right now. What really makes it frightening is that random people are being targeted by what it seems like one person or for sure a common gun being passed around. With the shootings taking place within walking distance of campus, we really have to be a lot more cautious walking around that area. If you can avoid walking at night that would be the best option but if you have to, always walk with a buddy or take an 8-Ride or Uber home if it’s far. Be aware of what’s going on around you and stay safe everyone!” –Thanasi Garbis, fourth-year
“I’ve lived in Rogers Park since freshman year, and I’ve never really felt that scared around campus. However, since the recent increase in crime, I no longer feel comfortable walking alone at any point in the day. I wish Campus Safety would increase their presence in off-campus areas where Loyola Students are known to live.” –Reka Slater, fourth-year
“Finding out that my neighborhood is unsafe is a feeling that of course makes me so uncomfortable. However, it was also a wake up call for me to be grateful. I have never before experienced feeling unsafe in the place I call home, yet some people feel this way their whole lives. My mother called me after hearing about the Rogers Park shooter on national news. I just wish such attention was given to hurting communities, such as south side Chicago, in which this safety concern is a constant in the lives of the residents there.” –Annie Kate Raglow, third-year
“In light of recent tragic events where two innocent people were insensibly killed, prior to that a student was brutally beaten right outside her residence by unknown suspects. I believe, now campus safety and the safety of its students and staff is of the utmost importance. Campus police should be a lot more vigilant but at the same time, when lives are actually threatened, CPD should also be involved in patrolling as long as there is a continued threat to the community. Furthermore, campus police not only have a job as safeguards, but also of constant communication with student, keeping us alert of any mishap. I believe in recent days that communication has been lacking but given the circumstances of actual threat and hysteria, there should be radical amends.” –Ahmad Shahzad, fourth-year
“I hate feeling so unsafe in a place that I consider my home. It’s one thing to be aware of your surroundings, but now it feels like I have to be preemptive in not being a victim of murder, and I hate being scared all of the time. Home should be a place where you feel safe.” –Jessica Dailey, fourth-year
“I think the police and school should do everything they can to find this guy. I’m also proud of the student community and how we’ve been looking out for each other.” –Patrick Herber, third-year
“Real lives are in danger. Loyola students are at risk. The fact that the school wasn’t reporting on this, initially, is incredibly frightening. It gives the impression that the school does not care for the safety of its students – especially when the area of most of the recent crime is where hundreds of Loyola students live. It’s still in the jurisdiction of campus safety. The way I look at it, if campus safety can/will report to a situation that could potentially endanger Loyola students, the school has an obligation to tell students about it.” –Shelby Kluver, third-year
How You Can Stay Safe on and off Campus
I’m sure we all know the basics: don’t walk alone, utilize 8-Ride or similar escort services, don’t walk with your headphones in or while looking at your phone, don’t travel with valuables, trust your gut, etc. You have heard of all of these because they are IMPORTANT and can make a difference! There are several resources to make sure you do not ever have to walk home alone. Using 8-Ride or a rideshare service can make a difference and ensure your safety. Sometimes walking at night or travelling with a valuable item, like your laptop, is unavoidable, but be safe about it!
I also think it is important to keep a very guarded mindset. Don’t walk around with the attitude of “That won’t happen to me.” As sad as it is, I am sure none of the victims of any of the recent crimes were expecting to have experienced those senseless acts. Then again, you also should not have to walk around with a negative mindset thinking that something will happen. It is best to just remain guarded and cautious. Trust your gut. If you see something that does not seem right or looks suspicious, notify the police and campus safety immediately. It is better to be safe than to be sorry.
Follow the news. But most importantly, make sure you stay up to date on the latest news. The Chicago Police and area detectives are finding new developments in these tragic cases each day, and knowing what is going on can help you stay safe and up-to-date. The “Roam RoPo” Facebook is a great resource for Loyola Students and residents of Rogers Park. Fellow students are able to post useful updates or observations regarding what is happening in the area. However, not every post on there is confirmed by police or campus safety, so be careful when reading the posts. It’s a useful page to consider, but take everything with a grain of salt. For example, there have been posts on there saying that the suspect was spotted around campus a few times the last few days, but last night, police confirmed that the suspect has not been seen since the shooting Monday night. The page is also a place where you can communicate with other students to link up and walk home together.  Strength (and safety!) in numbers!
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https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.php/parks-facilities/loyola-park
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Useful Information
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Submit anonymous tips regarding the investigation at CPDTIP.com
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Contact Area North Bureau of Detectives at 312.744.8261
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Chicago Police (non-emergency number) 311
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Loyola Campus Safety alerts/announcements: https://www.luc.edu/safety/alerts.html
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Loyola Campus Safety Dispatch Center: 773.508.6039
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Loyola 8-Ride Service: 773.508.7433
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This is an essential time to come together as a community and look out for one another. Please stay safe, everyone.
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