We think we’re immune

College students (and perhaps all of us) suffer from “it won’t happen to me” syndrome.

In recent months, Ann Arbor has experienced an increase in crime. After six sexual assaults in the month of July, the FBI was called in to help the Ann Arbor Police Department with an investigation. The University of Michigan’s Department of Public Safety also hired a new safety director. So far, no leads have been developed (or have not been made public). Move-in welcomed a new slew of crimes, including one which happened right on the Diag, the center of U-M’s campus.

Despite this news, no one on campus seems worried.

I’ve received countless warnings to “be careful” from my parents, my friends parents, administrators, counselors, the list goes on and on. But honestly, I roll my eyes and say “I know!” Sure, students here are a little concerned. After all, it’s not everyday that the FBI comes to town. Must be a big deal, right?

But even when we know the victims of these crimes, as some of my friends do, we still don’t really think it will happen to us. And anyway, why live scared?

While students may not be taking the crime wave seriously, U-M’s response to the crisis has been scattered. Students on campus receive email updates about all the attacks that have occurred. Emails are received with the subject line: CRIME ALERT.

Some of these alerts are just silly. For example, one crime alert I received described the suspect (who may or may not have been armed) as a black male, possibly bald or with dreadlocks. [Emphasis added].

It’s hard to take things seriously when it is so plainly obvious that the university has no idea what’s going on. Bald and dreadlocks are quite possibly the two least similar hairstyles a person could have.

Another recent crime alert had the description of the suspect as four fraternity brothers who stole a watch:

1) White male, 20-21 years, 6’2″-6’3″ wearing a white baseball hat with Greek letters worn backwards and a polo shirt
2) White male, 20-21 years, 6′, wearing shorts and red polo shirt
3) White male, 20-21 years, 6’1″, wearing shorts and shirt
4) White male, 20-21 years, 6’1″, with dark brown or black hair

Most students that talked about this crime alert laughed it off as some fraternity brothers goofing around.

I’m not trying to diminish the severity of the attacks, which I’m sure were awful for the victims. But most students on campus think nothing will happen to them.

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