In reaction to the series of laptop thefts last fall, Public Safety has been increasingly vigilant about asking students to report suspicious people on campus. Since Aug. 25, according to Director of Public Safety Maryann Wiggin, eighty people have been interrogated for trespassing. Approximately 20 percent were arrested. In the week from Feb. 9 to Feb. 16 alone, five non-University persons (NUPs) were arrested for trespassing on campus.

“These are not people walking their dog or sledding on Foss Hill,” Wiggin said. “These are people who have been reported. A number of these people had arrest records.”

According to Wiggin the high number is the result of a heightened awareness on the part of campus security. Last fall Public Safety, ResLife and the Dean’s Office cooperated in sending e-mails and posting signs in residence halls reminding students to secure their rooms and belongings.

“I would like to think that people are more aware of things like locking doors and windows,” Wiggin said.

Because many people who are arrested for trespassing or assaults are attracted to campus by student parties, event hosts have been encouraged to follow safety and trespassing regulations more carefully.

Last semester, several NUPs were questioned at a party at Asian/Asian-American (AAA) House after several items were stolen from guests at the party. Jennifer Kim ’06, then house manager of AAA House, said she determined the people were not students, but did not question them about the missing items even though she believed they were responsible.

“I didn’t want to offend them and accuse them of stealing something if they didn’t steal it,” Kim said.

Though AAA House hosts relatively few parties, Kim said that it is still difficult to secure the house because of the many entrances.

“It’s harder to keep track of everyone who comes in and comes out,” she said.

Wiggin noted that several large party spaces, such as Psi U and Eclectic, also have difficulty with multiple entrances.

“Because of the physical layout of the house, it is very difficult to secure,” Wiggin said.

Students hosting registered parties are required to check IDs at the door, and are encouraged to only have one entrance to the party. If a NUP is a guest of a student, that person is expected to leave his or her ID at the door, along with the ID of the student escort.

“That’s so we know who is in the venue,” said Lelani Kupo, Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development. “If anything should happen or something happens to that particular person, we know who they belong to.”

Event Staff, under the jurisdiction of Kupo, can be present to help check IDs, secure entrances and help maintain a safe environment at the party and are offered free of charge to student hosts.

“They’re usually stationed in the most unpopular spots to be in,” Kupo said. “They’re supposed to make sure that the venue is secured.”

Event Staff is not associated with Public Safety, but they keep in touch with officers during parties and call if assistance is needed.

“I think they enhance safety,” Wiggin said. “They’re more eyes and more ears of Public Safety.”

According to Courtney Taylor ’05, house manager of Malcolm X House, Event Staff is an integral part of parties thrown at the house.

“I have never had a party and not used Event Staff,” Taylor said. “I can’t imagine their not being used.”

Taylor said that X House has had few problems with trespassing or theft during parties, due to the help of Event Staff as well as the cooperation of house members.

“We have a responsibility to one another to make sure that we live in a safe environment,” Taylor said. “We try to do the best we can with everything. Everyone feels like we have to do well and we can’t be messing up.”

Wiggin also said that maintaining security on campus is not only the job of Public Safety.

“The safety and security of campus is a community effort,” Wiggin said. “Public Safety encourages everyone to be their eyes and ears and to report suspicious activity and people.”

Wiggin said that because Wesleyan is an open campus and centrally located within Middletown it is difficult if not impossible to completely prevent trespassing.

“We consider ourselves to be a neighborhood within Middletown,” Wiggin said. “At any given time there’s a number of non-students on campus.”

Wiggin noted that, as Spring Break and warm weather draw nearer, community members must continue to take safety measures.

“With March break approaching, it is more important than ever that students lock doors and windows if they are leaving for break,” Wiggin said. “If students are on campus, it is more important that they call and be aware.”

For maintaining security on campus, Wiggin stressed that students should notify Public Safety of any suspicious situation.

“Always err on the side of safety,” Wiggin said. “People can call anonymously. We’ll take an anonymous call over no call.”