Student Safety on the Arizona State Downtown Campus

The Downtown Phoenix area is home to Arizona State Universities Downtown campus. There are seven colleges within the campus and over 11,000 students walking around it every day. Not only is the Downtown Phoenix home to the ASU campus, but it is also considered home for thousands of homeless people. There has been a concern for student safety due to the large population of homeless in the area. Phoenix is not the only major city with a college campus in it. In Downtown Phoenix, many of the homeless population can find shelter in many buildings in or around the campus.

Herminia Rincon, Media Relations Officer and staff member at Arizona State University said that since she can’t speak on behalf of other universities and the policies they have in place, we can share what ASU has been doing.” ASU staff works closely with the Arizona State Police Department to ensure the safety of all staff and students,” Rincon said.

The ASU Police Department says that even though there is a high homeless population near campus, they do not pose any greater threat to the community than any other potential citizen looking to engage in criminal activity. The police department said there trying to connect students with resources then investigate them for criminal behavior. The ASUPD works with college deans, campus leadership and other community stakeholders to identify areas of concern for the students on campus and work collectively to improve those areas.

There is a long list of safety resources that students or staff can use to make sure that students are safe at all times. Police officials encourage all ASU students and staff to download the Livesafe app on their smartphones to report suspicious activity and crimes on campus. The app also allows students and staff to request a safety escort to wherever you need to go if you do not feel safe going alone.

ASUPD goes on to say that safety is everyone’s responsibility. They also say, “if you see something, say something.” Officials suggest that you “don’t leave your belongings unattended, even if it’s just for a minute while you run to the restroom. Walk in groups. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t bury your head in your phone and also keep one earbud out so you can hear what may be happening around you.”

Maddyn Johnstone-Thomas, a sophomore at Arizona State University lives in downtown Phoenix in off-campus housing about five blocks away from the ASU. When asked if she feels safe walking around campus, Johnstone said, “the only time I really feel super unsafe is when I am walking around by myself. I don’t feel unsafe on the campus at all even at night, but I do get a little nervous walking to and from my apartment at night sometimes.”

Johnstone said she downloaded the Livesafe app when she first got to college at orientation as staff recommended but has never had to use it. “Getting the notifications about the crime alerts near or on campus is helpful so I feel like I am always in the loop,” Johnstone said. When she can, Johnstone prefers to travel to or from campus with a friend just to be safe. The homeless population doesn’t even really affect Johnstone. “I know they are there, I just chose not to interact with them,” Johnstone said.

There are many resources to keep college students on ASU’s downtown campus safe and comfortable in their environment. While college can be an adjustment, ASU police make it as smooth as possible by being available and alert at all times. It is apparent that the main concern on the downtown campus is student protection, but the homeless population seems to not be as big of a concern as some people might think.