We all walk around with computers in our bags, IPOD headphones in our ears and cell phones in our hands all the time. Though these things seem crucial to your everyday lifestyle, we should probably be carrying a baseball bat and a can of pepper spray if we plan on staying up late in Madison.

There has been much talk of robberies, sexual assaults, and even homicide in our little college town that was once considered as safe as can be, since the city is run by people who go to this university. But major streets such as State Street and Langdon are bringing mixed company, which is ultimately putting our students at risk.

We all know about the Brittany Zimmermann story that occurred last April, where the medical microbiology and immunology major was killed in her Madison apartment. Though it shocked the campus as it was so close to home, they are still looking for any information on who could have done this. (Reward is at $14,000). Not only was the Zimmermann story so scary, but more assaults and robberies are still occurring on our campus, day and night. On November 3, a sorority girl was held at gun point, forced to give up cash and her computer to two men. Within the first week of October, 2 cases of sexual assault were also reported in the downtown area, one occurring at 2 in the morning and another at 9 at night.

But the real question is: what can we do to stop all these problems? Not leave our apartments? Follow the buddy system everywhere we go? Unfortunately, these assaults and attacks are taking place all over our campus and those who are doing the assaults are not afraid to venture out in the early hours of the day to get what they want. Our job at this point is to remain cautious of every move and not assume that this college town is incapable of providing these problems to students.

Though you may disregard the staff of “safe walk”, casually walk past emergency poles, and flip past the Madison Area Crime Stoppers channel on your TV, it’s probably a good time to look around and take notice. These options are here for us to take full advantage of, and with so many crimes occurring on campus, it’s time to take it a little more seriously.

For all of you students out there who have the mentality that it could never happen to you or that it’s most likely fine to walk home alone at 2 A.M., think again. With so much fun and relaxation occurring on campus, I think we can afford to be a little less relaxed about a situation that is never fun.

May the force be with you; or at least “Safe Walk”