Faced with budget strapped departments and a struggling economy, City College anticipates high tensions around campus possibly leading to greater difficulties for campus security.

“There have been 30 more incidents reported this year than last year,” said Director of Campus Security Erik Fricke. “But these also include medical reports and are not just crimes”.

After a month into the semester, the campus has already seen a number of physical run-ins. Last month, a student had a piece of concrete thrown at him, a student was assaulted by his ex-girlfriend, a student was punched in the face and had his backpack stolen, and two students were scuffling in the Life Fitness Center. All incidents were reported. Fricke insists that he does not necessarily expect a rise in major crimes.

“Sometimes we’ll see no assaults all year, but other years there’ll be a handful of fights,” he said. He reassures students that the college is much safer than others when you compare crime rates.

“Laptops, cell phones, easy target or easily visible items are the most common,” he said.

Fricke said that the two main types of thefts on campus are of bikes and backpacks. He warned not to leave valuables unattended at tables, sitting on top of open purses, or easily visible inside parked cars.

“Students studying at the library go to the bathroom and leave their items on the table, and when they come back their things are gone,” Fricke said. “They don’t realize that others aren’t paying attention”.

As far as bike thefts, Fricke says they usually occur when students use cable locks or park their bikes in unfrequented areas. He advises students to use U-Locks as they are much more difficult to remove than cable locks. “Cable locks can usually be cut by a regular pair of wire cutters,” Fricke warned.

One of the biggest hot spots for bike theft is at the bottom of the East Campus stairs on Cliff Dr., near Rancheria St, at the entrance to the jogging path that runs between East Campus and Pershing Park.

There’s even a sign warning students that bikes parked there are at a high risk to be stolen.

In order to deter crime in that area, two 25-foot lights were installed over the summer. Additionally, floodlights were also installed onto trees along the jogging path a few years ago.

But lights are not the only things keeping students safe at night. Security also offers escorts to cars and jumps-starts on drained car batteries at night.

Security also faces the task of making sure everyone is informed of how to be safe.

“Student’s should call security if they see suspicious activity and take viable information,” said Fricke. They can contact security by either using one of the emergency phones on campus or calling the emergency line at 805-730-4200.

“Students should not try to get involved. Just record information about the suspect or incident, and do not risk your own safety by trying to get involved,” he said.