Pennsylvania schools said to report more crime than almost every other state
So I guess that means we’re really safe, right?
According to a report from Lebanon Daily News, Pennsylvania schools are on track to report more crimes than almost every other state. The most recorded crimes at Pennsylvania universities include "rape, burglary, assault and murder."
The only other states that have reported more crime than PA schools are Texas, California and New York.
So, while this may mean that PA schools are pretty dangerous, there is reassurance in hearing that something is being done on campuses across the state to ensure that students and faculty are having a safe time regardless of what they are doing.
Temple Student Government recently met with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to make a pact working towards ending sexual violence on college campuses.
Lebanon Daily News received their data from the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education, which colleges and universities are "required by law to provide" data to.
As of 2015, Pennsylvania schools reported over 1,700 crimes, including "rape, burglary, assault and murder."
Crime reports are predicted to be high due to the variety of urban and suburban schools across the state, apparently because schools in safer areas do not typically have as many crime incidents to report.
It was also predicted that there are increased crime reports due to the Jerry Sandusky case, and no, I'm actually not trying to attack Penn State. "Such a public case happening so close to home has a large influence over the college officials charged with tracking and reporting crime," the Daily News report reads.
Schools across PA are doing everything they can to keep students safe, including online safety trainings, walking escorts on campus, transit busses across campus and offering on-campus weekend activities to offer an alternative to a wild Friday night out at a party.
Take advantage of these functions if your university offers them, don't let friends travel alone and always keep an eye on one another. Good work, PA schools, and stay safe!