Written by Sam Chappelle
In terms of crime and violence, students at Western generally feel very safe. The Office of Public Safety (OPS) has implemented many programs to prevent crime at the University. Blue light callboxes, escort services, and resident hall police teams all contribute to the safe atmosphere. The Emergency Alert System will alert students via text or phone call in the event of a safety issue on campus. This system is useful, even for minor situations like snow days. Western EMS is another group that protects the safety and health of students. Instances of students getting hurt are likely the cause of excessive drinking, not crime. Students tend to feel less confident in the Beu Health Center. It is conveniently located just minutes from the Union, but it is disorganized. The alternative, however, is worse; the hospital in Macomb is tiny, run down, and a trip there is expensive. The Beu can be helpful at times, like for counseling services and flu shots, but most students would recommend you avoid it for a serious medical issue.
Aside from petty theft and a few incidents, Western is very safe. This does not mean, however, that all parts of campus are safe at all hours of the day. Q Lot, for example, is not a great place to be at night. In this area, muggings and sexual assaults are not unheard of. Any student that exercises some caution and common sense should not have any problems. Aside from the occasional sighting of officers doing rounds, police are not an overbearing presence in dorms. On the other hand, police tend to patrol Adams Street more heavily, looking for kids to bust for underage drinking.