Security Concerns at Marquette

Last night, Milwaukee police held another community meeting about crime.

This time the community is Marquette.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

About 125 Marquette University students met Monday night with officials from the Milwaukee Police Department and the university's Department of Public Safety to discuss the campus' security in the aftermath of recent armed robberies near Marquette.

Larry Rickard, chief of the university's Department of Public Safety, said he has cancelled all vacations for officers and authorized increased overtime to boost the number of officers patrolling on and near campus.

"We want criminals to know that if you come into the Marquette area, your chances of being caught are much higher," said Rickard, who added that the area around campus is monitored by remote-controlled surveillance cameras.

Rickard also urged students to walk in groups and to use the university's LIMO vans, which provide door-to-door service for students from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Students should be vigilant but also be aware that the area near Marquette is one of the safest in the city, said Milwaukee police Capt. James Harpole.

"Although this is alarming, this is concerning, this is raising the fear factor, this is not the norm," Harpole said of the recent robberies.

After the rash of armed robberies, what comfort is there in hearing that the Marquette area is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city?

I credit Marquette for stepping up security and increasing measures to protect students, faculty, and staff.

What bugs me is hearing the same lines from police officials.

"Milwaukee is safe, really it is."

Tell it to the students robbed at gunpoint.