Many students at Southeastern Oklahoma State probably don’t give much thought to crime on campus. Southeastern has a small-town feel where you might not know everyone’s name, but you can recognize familiar faces.
Compared to other universities of similar size, Southeastern has a low crime rate. Every public university that receives federal funding is required by the Clery Act to report crime statistics. The most recent statistics are for 2011. In 2011, Southeastern had a total of 22 reported crimes. Liquor violations had the highest with a total of seven. In the same time frame, Southwestern Oklahoma State University had a total of 131 reported crimes. Liquor violations were also Southwestern’s highest with a total of 44.
When it comes to how the crime rate at Southeastern compares to Durant Campus Chief of Police Stacy Ballew said the crime rate is way, way low compared to Durant.
Ballew said the Clery Act statistics for 2012 are still being compiled, but off the top of his head he thinks the statistics are about the same as last year. The official 2012 statistics will be available by April 1. Ballew said, “Once the 2012 numbers are available a campus wide email will be sent out to inform people the numbers are available and where to find them.”
Aubrey Tarantine, a junior advertising/ public relations major said, “I have never personally seen or heard of crime on campus. I don’t think Southeastern is crime ridden. It comes with being a small campus.”
The statistics seem to hold up this sentiment. Oklahoma State University had 94 total liquor violations in 2011. In addition to a larger crime rate, Oklahoma State also has a larger campus community.
Billie Mobley, a senior majoring in computer information systems, commented that Southeastern’s crime is low compared to other colleges. Mobley said she feels safe on campus.
It is evident by the amount of people walking around campus late at night that many members of the Southeastern community feel the same way. This is especially true when the weather heats up and it starts becoming more comfortable at night.
Even new members of the Southeastern community feel that they are attending a safe campus. Quint Threadgill, a freshman majoring in occupational health and safety, thought the crime rate on Southeastern was low and said he felt safe on campus.
To help ensure that members of the Southeastern community feel safe, Southeastern installed panic buttons across campus. There is a total of 15 panic buttons on Southeastern property. There are 13 on the main campus and two at other locations. There are even panic buttons in locations off campus like the softball field and at Eaker Field.
According to Ballew if the panic button is pushed at the airfield, campus police responds. Ballew said, “We might inform Durant Police Department in case they have a unit closer, but we still respond.”
The most frequent calls campus police gets is to unlock cars for people. Ballew said, “We get about two to three calls a day to help people who have locked their keys in their car. There’s more this time of year due to preparing for finals and the end of the semester. It is understandable with everything people have on their mind. That is why we offer this service for free.”
In addition to the panic buttons, if anyone feels unsafe walking to a far parking lot at night, campus police will escort them to their vehicle.
To help ensure the crime rate at Southeastern stays low, members of the Southeastern community need to remember to lock vehicles and dorm rooms. People need to remember not to leave valuables, including textbooks despite how much they might be despised, out in the open. Also, Ballew recommends that people mark their valuables with a name or unique number so it can be identified later if needed.