Rise in crime in D.C. does not affect AU's campus
SAFETY-CRIME
Attn: Washington Post
Rise in Crime in D.C. does not affect AU’s campus
Length: 509 words
By Kalie Walker
Associated Press
When Rima Sifri is asked if she has kids, she says that she has 12,000 – the entire American University student community.
“Hopefully I don't look like I've had 12,000," Sifri said in an interview, followed by a chuckle.
Sifri is an Assistant Director at the American University Police Department, her role includes a focus on Administration and Community and Victim Advocacy. She said she’s in this role because she cares a lot about the AU community.
“I have such ownership in making sure that everybody is safe,” Sifri said. “And the chief's same way, the officers are the same way. When bad things happen, they get upset.”
Washington has seen a 28% increase in crime from 2022-23, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s preliminary report. The previous year, they reported an overall 4% decrease in crime in the District.
MPD said in a comment that the increase in crime has been due to an overall increase in robberies with illegal firearms.
“The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to protecting and serving everyone in the District, including residents, visitors, and students,” MPD said.
American University’s crime rate has stayed mostly consistent from 2021 to 2022, according to the 2023 annual security report. Sifri said that this is a result of their collaboration with MPD and their own security measures.
“That's why we're a very proactive department,” Sifri said. “So, we don't wait for things to happen. So, that's why we've implemented all these security procedures.”
Another way AUPD works to prevent crime is by educating the AU community on campus resources through outreach, self-defense classes and safety fairs. These resources include police escorts, the Rave Guardian app and a blue light system, according to a 2022 American University memorandum.
Sifri said that this education is important because students may not always be able to avoid bad situations, but they can at least be prepared for them.
“Life is a situation,” Sifri said. “You have to walk out the door. You don't have any – you don't have any other choice.”
AU had 16 incidents of violent crime on campus in 2022, comparable to 2021 where they had 13 reported incidents, according to the Annual Safety Report.
“A safe community depends on the cooperation, involvement, and awareness of everyone on campus,” AU said in the 2022 memorandum.
According to CrimeData DC, Ward 3, where AU is located, has the lowest number of incidents per year when compared to the other 7 wards, especially when comparing violent crimes.
AU student Maya Andrews said that she feels safe on campus, but that she thinks AU’s security measures could be better.
“I think our safety services are good for when something happens, but I haven’t seen or heard too much about what we would take to prevent something from happening,” Andrews said.
Sifri said that AUPD wants to empower students and wants them to know that AUPD has their backs, especially if something bad occurs.
“Things are gonna happen,” Sifri said. “We're here to pick up the pieces. Your life is not over.”
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Attn: Washington Post
Rise in Crime in D.C. does not affect AU’s campus
Length: 509 words
By Kalie Walker
Associated Press
When Rima Sifri is asked if she has kids, she says that she has 12,000 – the entire American University student community.
“Hopefully I don't look like I've had 12,000," Sifri said in an interview, followed by a chuckle.
Sifri is an Assistant Director at the American University Police Department, her role includes a focus on Administration and Community and Victim Advocacy. She said she’s in this role because she cares a lot about the AU community.
“I have such ownership in making sure that everybody is safe,” Sifri said. “And the chief's same way, the officers are the same way. When bad things happen, they get upset.”
Washington has seen a 28% increase in crime from 2022-23, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s preliminary report. The previous year, they reported an overall 4% decrease in crime in the District.
MPD said in a comment that the increase in crime has been due to an overall increase in robberies with illegal firearms.
“The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to protecting and serving everyone in the District, including residents, visitors, and students,” MPD said.
American University’s crime rate has stayed mostly consistent from 2021 to 2022, according to the 2023 annual security report. Sifri said that this is a result of their collaboration with MPD and their own security measures.
“That's why we're a very proactive department,” Sifri said. “So, we don't wait for things to happen. So, that's why we've implemented all these security procedures.”
Another way AUPD works to prevent crime is by educating the AU community on campus resources through outreach, self-defense classes and safety fairs. These resources include police escorts, the Rave Guardian app and a blue light system, according to a 2022 American University memorandum.
Sifri said that this education is important because students may not always be able to avoid bad situations, but they can at least be prepared for them.
“Life is a situation,” Sifri said. “You have to walk out the door. You don't have any – you don't have any other choice.”
AU had 16 incidents of violent crime on campus in 2022, comparable to 2021 where they had 13 reported incidents, according to the Annual Safety Report.
“A safe community depends on the cooperation, involvement, and awareness of everyone on campus,” AU said in the 2022 memorandum.
According to CrimeData DC, Ward 3, where AU is located, has the lowest number of incidents per year when compared to the other 7 wards, especially when comparing violent crimes.
AU student Maya Andrews said that she feels safe on campus, but that she thinks AU’s security measures could be better.
“I think our safety services are good for when something happens, but I haven’t seen or heard too much about what we would take to prevent something from happening,” Andrews said.
Sifri said that AUPD wants to empower students and wants them to know that AUPD has their backs, especially if something bad occurs.
“Things are gonna happen,” Sifri said. “We're here to pick up the pieces. Your life is not over.”
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