Crime in Off-Campus Communities

After two shootings and an armed robbery in one semester at Campus Crossings Statesboro, Luv’Aisha Collins wants out of her lease. With the residents’ safety in mind, she started a petition for residents who are feeling unsafe in their homes to have the option to opt-out of their contract.

“As a resident of Campus Crossings, they could increase their security first making sure that security is patrolling the entire complex 24 hours a day,” Luv’Aisha Collins, Sophomore Journalism student said. “They've proven to me they are very careless and incapable to provide these tasks which is why I created the petition.”

The concerned student feels that she should not have to constantly look over her shoulder when getting home late at night from work, and Campus Crossings should install cameras in each building on their property.

According to Statesboro Police database, in the past 3 months, there has been 16 criminal reports that have occurred at Campus Crossings Statesboro which includes, 6 violent crimes, 6 property crimes, and 4 quality of life crimes.

To raise awareness about crime prevention, the management team at Campus Crossings Statesboro began hosting monthly crime awareness meetings with Georgia Southern and Statesboro Police Departments to give residents safety tips and answer any questions that residents may have.

“Property management and our courtesy officer are holding monthly Crime Awareness meetings with residents to review safety tips and resources, and discuss strategies for reporting suspicious activity to management and the police,” Molly Horshaw, spokesperson for Campus Crossings said. ” Our courtesy officer is patrolling 24/7, we’re installing new surveillance cameras and improving building exterior lighting and we’re actively evaluating additional measures to improve security.”

The criminal activity in the off-campus community that sits less than a mile away from Georgia Southern’s campus has not only caused a reaction in residents but parents as well.

“I’m a concerned parent, not just for my daughter, but for all students that are facing the same situation,” Pierra Collins, mother of resident Luv’Aisha Collins said. “They deserve to feel safe at home, [and] Campus Crossings has a responsibility to provide adequate security.”

Statesboro Police Sergeant Jake Saxon believes that in order to prevent crime increase, residents should take preventative measures to ensure their safety.

“Residents can prevent thefts by simply locking their apartments’ and vehicle's doors and windows. Many thefts occur when either are left unlocked,” Saxon said. “The Statesboro Police Department is going to continue to patrol off-campus apartments as much as possible.”

Not all residents have given up on the neighborhood. After attending the community’s first crime awareness meeting, Atiya Vereen, a resident at Campus Crossings, said she is hopeful that with an increase of security, the neighborhood will lose its bad reputation.

“One thing about crime it happens everywhere, whether you’re on campus, off campus you know, but as long we can keep to a minimum with meetings like this, I feel like yeah, it reassured my safety,” Vereen said.

To decrease criminal activity, the management at Campus Crossings encourages residents to be the eyes and ears of the community and join the Neighborhood Watch program.

“The wellbeing of our residents is our top priority and we’re working diligently to deter crime in our community,” Horshaw said.

If anyone has seen or heard any information regarding the recent crimes, they are encouraged to inform the Statesboro Police Department, and their identity can remain anonymous.

“We encourage anyone that has witnessed or has information about a crime to come forward, and offer complete anonymity,” Sergeant Saxon said. “Public safety is most successful when law enforcement and the community work together, and a key factor in this is communication.”