Did you ever get to the end of a level in Mario Brothers, only to fall down that last gap right before grabbing the flag? The library steps are Georgetown’s best imitation of that final crevice—you feel like you’re home safe, but you’re confronting what’s become perhaps the most dangerous spot on campus. The unreasonably high number of public safety alerts concerning crimes on the Lauinger steps, including the most recent alleged hate crime, suggests that a DPS officer should be permanently stationed on the steps at night.
The campus’ other major entrance, the front gates, always has a significant DPS presence, including a patrol car. The logic, naturally, is to prevent crime from occurring at a vulnerable high-traffic area. The fact that an equally busy area is left to the state of nature is appalling, and it leads to far too many nasty and brutish late-night encounters.
Placing an officer on the steps need not even require additional manpower on DPS’ part. The DPS presence just inside Lauinger library could be shifted outside, while student guards take over duty inside Lauinger, where little if any violent crime occurs and a card-swiping system is already in place to keep unsavory characters out late at night.
When asked about whether DPS is considering putting an officer on the steps, Vice President for Safety and Security Rocco DelMonaco refused to give specific details about DPS’ methods, but said that they will be increasing foot traffic in response to the latest crime.
Living in a major city such as D.C. is inherently dangerous, and no one expects MPD or DPS to be able to stamp out all crime in the area around campus. But when a single causeway, and one within DPS’ tight jurisdiction, proves repeatedly dangerous to the student population that DPS strives to protect, it’s time for a reaction. In this case, it warrants an officer on the library steps.
