In recent months, USC has experienced an increase in dramatic crime, from a civil disturbance in Russell House to various armed robberies.
In response to this increase, the USC Police Department is encouraging students to practice safety precautions daily.
Director of Law Enforcement and Safety Ernest Ellis said economic problems can contribute to crime rising.
"It is true that in times of economic downfall, property crimes certainly increase" Ellis said.
According to Ellis, property crimes are bad, but crimes attacking students are worse.
"The worst kind of crime is obviously a crime to one's person," Ellis said, "There are many devices implemented around campus in order to help prevent that from happening."
Emergency call boxes are designed so that once the call button is pressed and the blue light flashes, an officer will be there shortly.
Another precaution is the many lights around campus which help give students who have to walk at night a lit path.
Students are also strongly encouraged to walk in groups instead of going out alone.
A new security measure the USCPD is implementing is the installation of outside video cameras around campus. The cameras will be active 24 hours a day and will greatly assist investigators in apprehending anyone suspected of committing a crime.
Several test cameras have been in place this year in the Horseshoe, Bates parking lot, Barnwell and Greene streets and in the Greek Village. The cameras are expected to be fully active starting this spring or summer according to Ellis.
Despite the increase in crime, some students carry simple methods of personal defense such as mace or pepper spray like Stephanie Thompson, a second-year psychology student.
"I always feel safe on campus, but I still carry mace on my keychain just in case of an emergency," Thompson said.
USC police said they feel such devices work well as long as they are bought from a respectable vendor and are used properly.
The police are also continuing their student officer program with officers on bikes and foot patrol as well as the Emergency Notification System.
As of yet there are no updates available for the assailants in the Grand Market Place fight. There are, however, several strong leads pertaining to the armed robbery suspects. The investigation is still ongoing.
In case of an emergency call the USCPD at 803-777-9111.
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