The College Park area has been plagued with crime for as long as any current student can remember. Criminals see students as easy targets for robberies and assaults. Though the threat of crime is felt on and off campus, few students feel the heat as much as the residents of Knox road. The “Knox Box” apartments circling Knox, Guilford, Hartwick, and Rossborough road often fall victim to robberies. Freshman Ross Cone, resident of the 4200 block of Knox Road, recounts his apartment being broken into on Saturday, October 22. Ross had his laptop, xbox, and cellphone stolen when the suspect broke in through his window. After speaking with him for some time, it became apparent that Ross’s break-in was no isolated event. He explained that the apartment above him had been recently robbed as well. Similarly, entry was forced and electronics were stolen. Though property theft threatens all of its residents, Knox road is often the scene of assaults and armed robberies on pedestrians.
A crime map (http://ucrime.com/md/university+of+maryland) of College Park shows the crime density of the area. Interestingly, most of the crime reports in the area are extremely close in proximity to the University. This supports the idea that criminals prey on college students because they are comparatively easy targets when compared to other demographics. Students are also targeted because they almost always have laptops, cell phones, TV’s, and printers. Thieves find these items the most profitable to steal. Students need to be keep all of their belongings under watch and locked away. Those venturing off Campus need to be very cautious when walking late at night.
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