By: Steele Smith, senior writer; Caroline Maas, staff writer

Wofford’s recent encounters with on-campus crime can make it seem like there has been a dramatic spike in crime rates within Wofford’s community. However, according to Randy Hall, Director of Campus Safety, the recent strand of break-ins and theft crimes are not uncharacteristic of Wofford’s historical crime trend.

When asked about the alleged rise of campus crime, Hall responds, “we are not seeing a rise in crime on campus; our incidents are running fairly even with reported incidents during the same period last year.”

Backing up his statement of assurance that Wofford’s crime rates are not rising, Hall provides statistics equating crime rates in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 school years: “Reported incidents on Wofford’s campus remain about the same this year compared with the same period – January 1 through October 29 – in 2016. In 2016, we had 22 property-related crimes, 34 larcenies (including four burglaries) and one armed-robbery reported during that period. This year, we have had 19 property-related crimes, 25 larcenies (including seven burglaries) and one armed-robbery.”

Wofford’s Campus Safety officers have a wide range of experience. On the Campus Safety staff are two firefighters, two well-experienced investigators, a former EMT and a certified traffic officer, in addition to other retired or former law enforcement officers.

The Campus Safety staff maintains a healthy relationship with the Spartanburg City Police Department, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and, when needed, the federal government.

Hall adds to his description of the immensely qualified team of Campus Safety Officers: “All officers are trained and certified as Campus Safety security officers or state constables through SLED. Every officer receives mandated yearly training through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy or SLED.”

A consistent trend amongst the on-campus robberies also applies to the recent reports of bicycle thefts: these bikes were left unsecured and unattended by their owners. Hall urges bike owners to lock up their bikes but also hints at movement of the Campus Safety team toward ensuring a more efficient way of managing these thefts.

Hall says, “We also are looking at the possibility of implementing a bicycle registration program much like we have for vehicles. This would help in reducing thefts and increasing stolen bike recovery.”

In a recent meeting with the Old Gold & Black, President Samhat commented on the current campus climate in regards to safety, urging students to use the same strategies that they would use in any other public place to keep themselves and their belongings safe on campus.

“Whether it’s in at Wofford, in shopping malls, or in Downtown Greenville, there needs to be a level of awareness and common sense strategies…Ultimately, I would be wary to close off campus to try and avert crime. It gives a bad signal to the Spartanburg community and it gives us a false sense of security. You cannot be insulated from the world, you must be engaged in it.”

When asked about advice on precautionary measures that should be taken to avoid hazardous situations at Wofford, Hall responds, “It’s important to remember that criminals usually are lazy; they come to Wofford’s campus because we make it easy for them by leaving vehicles unlocked and bicycles unsecured. They know that. If we start to take the simple precautions of locking up cars and bikes and other property, and make Wofford a safer campus by doing so, then they will have to go elsewhere.”

Hall urges that Wofford students and staff implement “simple steps to prevent thefts from their vehicles – locking car doors, not leaving valuables in vehicles, and, if needed, securing valuables out of sight.”

He continues, “We want the topic of safety and security on campus to be one that is on the top of people’s minds all the time – to be aware of their own safety and security as well as that of others on campus. Campus Safety is always ready to help and to provide information on how to make campus a safer place for everyone.”

“We also encourage students, faculty and staff to walk in groups, especially at night, when out on campus,” Hall says.

Campus Safety can and will provide escorts at any time when requested, by calling the office at 864-597-4350. In the case of an emergency, call 867-597-4911.

The first step in reducing on-campus crime is individual initiative. Hall concluded saying, “Our department works diligently not only to solve these crimes, but to try to prevent them or reduce their number on campus primarily through education of students, faculty and staff about how they can better safeguard their own property.”