University of Southern CaliforniaHealth & Safety Summary

Written by BJ Grip

BJ Grip

Hometown

Colorado Springs, CO

Major

Theater

View all previous student authors

Although most students would agree that our campus is safe and secure, there is no denying the fact that bad things happen from time to time. As far as petty theft goes, students with a mind to keep what’s theirs had better lock bikes and bedroom doors. Clothing, money, and other valuables are reported stolen from apartments and dorm rooms on occasion, while bikes are stolen on a daily basis. Reports of assault and robbery usually come from the area just north of campus, where most of the student apartments are located. The DPS and the LAPD have committed more and more officers to problem areas in the past few years, and even though problems still exist, assailants tend to strike in the darkest, most remote areas that most students are smart enough to avoid. Students, especially young women, are advised against walking alone late at night. Students who pay attention to their surroundings and keep track of their friends will most likely graduate unscathed.

All USC students are required to sign up for Trojan Alerts, which inform students about what is happening on campus with DPS and which areas to avoid. Mass texts and e-mails are sent out immediately if there is a problem that needs to be contained. Each Trojan Alert gives students a description of what is happening and a description of the suspects, if available. This system only lets people know about the biggest problems, however, and smaller things, such as dorm thefts, are left unaddressed.