Students living near the site of last weekend's near-campus armed robbery said the neighborhood hasn't seemed dangerous lately, though it's still important to take reasonable precautions.
A woman was threatened with a handgun early Sunday morning near the corner of New York Avenue and Abbott Street just east of Worthen Arena, according to an alert issued by University Police Department.
The woman was not harmed. Authorities were seeking five black males in a black Lexus who were last seen headed west on Bethel Avenue.
This is the second armed robbery to occur near campus since the beginning of Fall Semester.
The first took place on Sep. 21 at Dill and Gilbert streets and involved five victims.
Although students said they have not heard of other incidents occurring in the neighborhood, Chelsea Hogle, a senior special education major, said she has been hassled before when she was walking around the area one night. However, she said was not frightened by the situation.
"I don't get too freaked out about that kind of stuff," Hogle said.
Hogle said she does take precautions when walking alone.
"I always carry mace and a pocket knife," she said.
Students are encouraged by the university to avoid walking alone at night.
Annie Meurer, a first year graduate student, said she avoids the risk.
"If I walk late at night, it's with a group of people," Meurer said.
Nick Gilmore, a senior telecommunication major, said he was surprised to hear about the robbery as he considers the area to be pretty safe.
Meurer said the campus police seem to be doing what they can.
"Sometimes it just happens," Meurer said. "They can't be everywhere at once."
The university encourages students to avoid walking alone at night and to take advantage of campus resources such as Charlie's Charter, which runs from 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday.
Charlie's Charter is not available to students on Saturday and only operates to and from university property, which doesn't include the two areas where the robberies have occurred.
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