The recent disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore Hannah Graham has sent shock waves through the country. Graham’s disappearance serves as a tragic reminder that college students must use extreme caution when walking around after dark.

At Elon University, the easiest and most effective way to keep safe at night is to travel around the campus with a group of friends. If, for some reason, you become separated from your friends or find yourself walking alone, Elon Campus Safety and Police offers a security escort service every day of the week from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

It is a common misconception that walking home alone is safe as long as you are on the phone with someone. The office of Campus Safety and Police strongly disagrees. This practice does more harm than good.

If you are talking on your phone, it leaves you unaware of your surroundings and more likely to be approached by someone. Being distracted makes you an easy target for burglary or assault.

If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, seek out the blue lights around campus, which serves a twofold purpose. First, it allows students, faculty and staff to raise alarm and connect with security during an emergency. Secondly, it is to give the campus a secure feeling.

While in the presence of blue lights, students know there is a way to get a rapid response when needed.

According to Dennis Franks, the director of Campus Safety and Police, Elon’s campus has 35 blue lights across its campus.  New blue lights are added as needed, and Frank’s office evaluates requests for new blue lights from the community.

Recent additions to the blue light system include Loy Farm and Arts West.

Typical to any college, most on-campus crime at Elon results from Liquor Law Violations. With that said, the campus is not immune to violent crime. During the 2014 spring semester, a local man was charged with rape and burglary at an off-campus house party on West College Avenue.

Although the administration and campus security make every effort to keep Elon safe for all its students, it is important to remember that incidents like the Graham case can happen to anyone, anywhere.

No matter where you are on campus, it is critical to practice caution and to be aware of your surroundings.