The recent attacks on two Boston University students in Allston-Brighton were shocking in their brutality and viciousness. However, BU students need to remember the Allston-Brighton neighborhood can be dangerous, and they, the Allston-Brighton police and the university must work together to improve safety in the area.
While the students attacked were using the buddy system and walking with friends, this should not invalidate the system overall. Several people are more difficult to assault than one. However, if large gangs are active in Allston, there is only so much students can do for protection. The administration should work with the Allston-Brighton police and under its own initiative to make the neighborhood a safer place.
ABPD and BUPD should exchange information more often and work together even more than they already do to ensure an informed student populace. When a rapist threatened the Allston-Brighton community at the beginning of this semester, both departments worked together to keep students aware of the danger. That cooperation should be renewed and reinvigorated, especially if there is a danger of gang violence. Even without a major threat, the police departments can share general safety and crime prevention information, to the betterment of both communities.
Boston University itself should also look into community betterment. A recent ‘Safety Walk’ undertaken by the Student Union and BU officials looked at areas on campus that could use safety improvement, particularly in increased lighting. The university should look into offering the same facility improvements to the Allston-Brighton area. Not only would this help to protect the university’s students, it could improve community relations in an area that has often been critical of the university.
However, the university can only do so much. Students living off campus, and those visiting off-campus dwellers, have to act safely and responsibility without relying solely on BU services like the escort service. Increasing off-campus safety may be a team effort, but it must start with those who have made the decision to live and gather there.
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