Between January and June, 22 rapes occurred in Cambridge, an almost 37 percent increase from Cambridge's average of eight per quarter, according to Cambridge Police crime statistics.

"The 1996 first quarter figure [12] was the highest number of incidents reported to the department since the inception of the Crime Report," according to a Cambridge Crime Report from the spring.

Students and citizens alike said they are anxious about this most recent attack.

"The area [around Mather and Dunster House] is slowly building up a reputation as a dangerous area," said Victoria L. Merriman '98, a Dunster House resident. "It's scary."

Yet Merriman said she still walks by herself to the Square at night.

"I'm not really worried," she said, "but I'm starting to."

Harvard police officers sharply disagreed with students' assessment of the neighborhood.

"I don't think it's dangerous," said Harvard Lt. John F. Rooney. "It's very well-patrolled by marked and unmarked Cambridge and Harvard cars."

"There are a few assaults here and there, but they're random and sporadic," he said. "It's not an epidemic."

Nevertheless, two other serious crimes have been committed against Harvard students in the same neighborhood within the past year.

Last September, a Mather House resident was assaulted at knifepoint just outside the house and fled with bruises and a cut over his eye. Another Harvard student was sexually assaulted mid-morning while jogging along the river.

Although the incidence of rape is up this year, the number of assaults from January to March in Cambridge was down 21 percent, according to the Cambridge police report.

Security at Harvard

Currently, security guards are stationed at the houses, including Mather, from 5 p.m. until shortly after midnight, except on Friday and Saturday nights when they are on duty all night.

Harvard officials said they believe 24-hour security is still not necessary.

"[Putting in such security] may be a bit over-reacting," Rooney said, "but in the long term, it could be explored."