By Michelle Roberts
Arizona Daily Wildcat
With approximately 35,000 students and numerous other university employees and visitors, the University of Arizona has crime much like any city does.
"The campus is relatively safe," said Sgt. Brian Seastone of the UA police department. "We don't have incidents where someone is grabbed and accosted. They're very few and far between."
However, there are ways people can try to ensure their safety when traveling on campus, according to Seastone.
Students should utilize the Escort Service, he said. Today at 7:30 a.m., the Escort Service begins the fall semester's daytime operations, which run on all school days from 7:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 7 p.m., the service begins nighttime operations, which run nightly, Sunday through Thursday, from 7 to 1 a.m. The service provides free transportation within a two-mile radius around campus.
Seastone also recommended that students travel together at night, stay in well-lighted areas, and remain aware of their surroundings.
When caught in an emergency on campus, students can use blue emergency phones. Seastone said there are about 70 on campus. They provide a direct link to UAPD.
If one is taken off the hook, an officer will usually be in the area within three minutes, Seastone said.
In situations where someone is being chased, Seastone said there have been incidents when people have run by phones and knocked the them off the hook as they go by, leaving a trail for police.