Short-term fix will not curb crime problem in East neighborhood

Tripling law enforcement in the East neighborhood on weekends is a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

The increased surveillance of the area shows the seriousness with which local law enforcement is taking this issue, but larger changes need to take place to help ensure student safety.

Already this academic year, four robberies occurred in a three-week span. That’s an unusually high number for the start of the school year, Department of Public Safety officials said. DPS has already sent five different public safety alerts to students.

Most of the robberies so far have been by non-SU students, DPS officials said. This signals the problem in the East neighborhood is more than a university issue.

It is a city of Syracuse issue.

DPS and university officials cannot solve this problem alone. City officials and law enforcement need to step up and help take ownership of this problem, as the acts are being committed by city residents.

There are also steps Syracuse University students can take. Students should know who attends their parties and take measures to keep uninvited guests from entering. Students should not walk alone or carry valuables with them after dark. But even if students take all these measures, their safety cannot be guaranteed.

While increased patrol may impede crimes from happening, it is a reactionary fix that is not the most sustainable solution. Moving forward with this issue, city and university officials need to team up to get to the root of the problem in the East neighborhood in order to protect the community.