New security cameras in dormitory parking lots this year are one improvement brought about by the University of Minnesota Duluth's annual Nightwalk for Campus Safety.
Tuesday evening, students, staff and neighborhood residents are welcome to walk again, in an effort to discover possible nighttime pitfalls and dangers.
"The only way to get a sense of whether a campus is safe is to take a look at it at night," said Greg Fox, vice chancellor of finance and operations at UMD. "In the daytime, lights look fine and parking lots look safe."
The group will be on the lookout for burned-out lights, unruly shrubbery perfect to crouch behind, and cracked or crumbling walkways.
"It's great to have trees and shrubbery on campus, but at the same time, people want to make sure there is some sort of adequate distance so someone can't jump out at you," Fox said.
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Students appear to be more concerned about the safety of surrounding neighborhoods that aren't well-lit, he said, and the condition of residential sidewalks generally isn't as good as those on campus.
The most common crimes occurring at UMD include theft and underage drinking, said Anne Peterson, director of campus police.
Twenty-four-hour security cameras have been installed in parking lots in response to rising car thefts the past few years. This year, the number of thefts has dropped, Peterson said.
Security measures like the university's Safewalk program, which provides escorts to and from places on campus during the week, offer peace of mind to students.
"Even though my sense is the campus is pretty safe and secure, I encourage students to walk with buddies, carry a light or whistle and a cell phone," Peterson said.
The annual walk is in its 18th year, and Fox said no major problems have been found for some time.
"We're an extraordinarily safe campus," he said.
JANA HOLLINGSWORTH is a general assignment reporter. She can be reached Tuesdays through Saturdays at (218) 279-5501 or by e-mail at jhollingsworth@ duluthnews.com.
