PENN STATE Campus experiences an increase in assaults

Borough and university officials say excessive drinking caused the rise.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Despite a recent survey that named this college town one of the safest in the nation, a recent rash of assaults on and near the Penn State University campus has many students and locals questioning their safety.
"If you were to ask a typical student, they'd say that they don't feel safe downtown," said Ian Rosenberger, president of Penn State's Undergraduate Student Government. "I don't think we have a very safe atmosphere. If a student doesn't feel safe, then it's not safe."
Overall crime rates in State College remain relatively low. A review of crime statistics done by the Centre Daily Times showed crime rates were dropped considerably in 2001 and 2002; they were up in 2003, but rose only to 2000 levels.
But despite the overall trend, assaults rose 57 percent from 2000 to 2003. There were 44 assaults downtown in 2003, up from 25 in 2002 and 26 in 2000. Another 41 assaults were reported on the university's campus, which is adjacent downtown.
One man was stabbed in a downtown parking lot last year, and another had bones in his face broken in an attack. In October, an intoxicated Penn State student, 21-year-old Salvador Peter Serrano, died after being thrown to the ground and restrained by two bar employees after a fight outside the bar.
"Of all the outdoor crimes, assaults are the most concerning," State College Police Chief Tom King said. "And 2003's numbers aren't even comparable to 2000."
Borough and university officials blame excessive drinking for the increase. Citing statistics from the state Liquor Control Board, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said area liquor sales have risen by $5 million over the last five years.
As a result, the community has also seen a rise in emergency room visits for alcohol-related illnesses and injuries and in arrests for public intoxication and underage drinking.
King points to another telling statistic -- many of these assaults occur in the early-morning hours right after bars close.
"The crimes that are happening between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. aren't happening because it's dark out or it's some magic thing," King said, but because it's the time "when people are intoxicated."
The first step in reducing violent situations is to rein in alcohol consumption, said Bill Moerschbacher, a Penn State University Police supervisor.
"I don't think there's any question," Moerschbacher said. "If drinking were curbed, we wouldn't have as many problems."
But some dispute that there is a problem. Dave Wells, who operates several downtown businesses, said a few high-profile cases have people unnecessarily looking over their shoulders.
"There's been a lot of sensationalism about the incidents that have happened," Wells said. "I'm downtown every night and so are my children. The downtown not being safe is a misconception."