To the editors:

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) would like to respond to the editorial notebook by Lia C. Larson ’04 entitled “The Long Walk Home” (Oct. 21 ). We reject Larson’s assertion that the University will take action only after something terrible happens and that the HUPD is resting on the laurels of low crime rates. Our mission always is to provide a safe and secure environment for all community members. The HUPD never dismisses safety concerns of the community and, in fact, works closely with students, faculty and staff in identifying problems and crafting solutions to those problems. Although the University does have the responsibility of ensuring the community’s safety, community members must do their part to stay safe.

Because our campus is in an urban environment, we have to be mindful of our surroundings at all times. As in any environment, students, faculty and staff should try to avoid walking alone late at night; if they must, however, they should use prudence and good judgment in selecting their routes. For example, despite the best efforts of the Cambridge Police Department and the HUPD, it is best not to walk alone through the Cambridge Common at night. Rather, as highlighted on the map in the University telephone directory, the recommended walking route going toward the Quad is along Garden Street across from the Common. The map also shows the locations of five blue light emergency phones on that route. When walking on the recommended side of the street, a person is never more than a few-hundred feet from a blue light phone.

The University has not placed a blue light emergency phone in the Cambridge Common because the University does not own that property. Also, the HUPD does not have jurisdiction on the Common. Nevertheless, HUPD officers regularly ride and walk through the Common on their patrol of the Radcliffe and Quad area and Cambridge Police Department officers routinely patrol the area. However, we always advise students, faculty and staff to use prudence in their late-night travels. Furthermore, merely increasing lighting and adding emergency phones will not guarantee safety.

Larson noted that in addition to the loss of HUPD presence at 29 Garden Street because of building renovations, the blue light emergency phone was removed. The blue light phone and a new HUPD substation will be functional as soon as the renovations are completed.

Unfortunately, Larson feels that the suggestion that community members should avail themselves of the shuttle bus and escort van is a “dismissal.” However, the HUPD does believe that the shuttle bus and escort van, as well as SafetyWalk, are reasonable and sensible alternatives to walking alone at night. Rather than waiting in the dark for a shuttle bus, a person can call for an Evening Shuttle Van or a SafetyWalk escort, which are available on demand. See the HUPD website at www.hupd.harvard.edu or “Playing It Safe” for specific information.

Although Larson believes that students “need and deserve convenient, timely access to all areas on campus,” we all must face the realities of urban life. The HUPD, in partnership with students, faculty, staff and the Cambridge Police Department, continually works to keep the Harvard community safe. It also is essential that community members take basic precautions for keeping themselves safe, such as utilizing the available transportation services, walking in groups, avoiding certain locations and not walking around “half-asleep or spaced-out.”

Steven G. Catalano

Oct. 23, 2002

The writer is public information officer for the Harvard University Police Department.