“That was definitely a spike and a cluster in indecent assault and batteries,” Catalano said. “We were concerned; fear [among students] was running very, very high.”
As a result, Catalano said, HUPD dramatically increased its staffing levels, both uniformed and plainclothes, on foot and in patrol cars.
“We were very visible,” Catalano said. “We received a lot of feedback from the community. They felt more comfortable with officers out there.”
But Catalano said increasing officer presence also meant that police were able to respond to calls more efficiently.
“We didn’t want to just make people feel comfortable, we wanted to stop these crimes,” he said.
Ramos’ arrest in January was a prime example of coordination and cooperation between HUPD and CPD, Catalano said, and it was successful because of the sheer volume of officers on the streets as well as the victim’s fast thinking.
“The arrest occurred because this victim in her anger called the police right away,” Catalano said. “We had so many people that night it was possible to assist CPD in making the arrest...we flooded the area. It was a good description from victim combined with good police work.”
Catalano added that work with University Transportation Systems was also important, and it was due to this collaboration that the shuttle service was extended to 24 hours during the winter.
“We were trying to get a handle on giving people alternatives,” Catalano said. “This brings to the forefront for the reincarnation of [the escort program].”
After The Crimson reported that SafetyWalk, a student group responsible for providing late-night walking escorts, no longer had any more escorts to provide, it became a priority for the College and HUPD to devise a replacement service that would be effective.
The Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP) kicked off in late February. It operates by paying HUPD-trained student escorts who work from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m Sunday through Wednesday and to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Catalano said that while SafetyWalk would receive around six calls all year, HUCEP has been well-utilized this semester. Since Feb. 20, 711 students have received a walking escort.
“That’s 711 people that would have walked alone. The HUCEP program had a good spring and we’re hoping when students come back in the fall it will only get bigger and better,” Catalano said. “I’d like to see the program be around forever.”
—Staff writer Hana R. Alberts can be reached at alberts@fas.harvard.edu.