Wake Forest University Tightens Security to Avoid Thefts on Campus
ByWake Forest University campus police have tightened security for the second time this year to prevent any crimes on campus.
Officials are closing down one university entrance on Polo Road at night after students were robbed and held up twice at gunpoint, last month.
In addition, the police will be supervising the gatehouses on University Parkway and Reynolda Road between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Nonstudents passing through the university during these hours will have to go through a security check and give reasons for their visit to the university. They should also carry an ID proof with them.
Meanwhile, the university police are also planning to increase their personnel in the southern area of the campus.
Students were also supportive of the new safety measures implemented across the university.
"I feel a lot safer and secure," said Elizabeth Law, a junior at Wake Forest.
Eileen McNamara, a sophomore said that these security measures might become inconvenient to friends visiting the campus. But still, they were required to assure safety for students living on campus.
According to the university police department, thefts of personal items have decreased by 5 percent; assaults have increased from 14 to 16 incidents in the 2011-12 academic year and at the same time break-ins have increased to 41 percent compared to the previous year.
In February, the university increased policemen on certain parking lots and dorms on the north side of the campus due to unwanted incidents such as car break-ins and home invasions.