The armed robbery at University Courts and the recent shooting at Club Chaos has led to the question: Is there a trend developing with weapons on and around campus?

The robbery at University Courts is the first UTM has seen in many years. “There has been only one robbery involving a weapon in the last three years,” said Lt. Ray Coleman of the Office of Public Safety. “In 1999, there was a robbery involving a knife and a robbery committed using the threat of violence. It has been six years since a robbery occured with a gun used as the weapon.”

This latest wave of gun violence has led questions. “We have not seen a major increase in weapons on campus,” replied Coleman. “In 1999, we had three actions and arrests involving weapons posession, there were two in the year 2000, and three in 2001.”

In fact, UTM has the lowest crime rate among college campuses in the state of Tennessee for the year 2001, according to the FBI crime index.

Martin averaged 10.4 percent whereas the average for Tennessee campuses was 19.8 percent. Also, the clearance rate or percentage of cases solved at UTM is the highest in the state at 27 percent.

As for the city of Martin, there were five armed robberies in 2002. Three of those five were solved according to police statistics.

“Many of the robberies in Martin happened at convenience stores,” said Capt. David Moore of the Martin Police Department.

“Martin is one of the safest campuses in the state because campus police stay on top of things,” said Moore. “UTM police do all they can to supress crime, but occasionally one slips by.”

Both the Martin Police Department and the Office of Public Safety encourage students to take the following precautions when going to and from vehicles:

•Remain alert to your surroundings.

•Look into the interior of your vehicle before you get in to see if anyone is inside.

•Have your door key readily accessible as you approach your vehicle and lock the doors once you are inside.

•Be alert of anyone you do not know trying to gain your attention. If they are requesting information, and you decide to communicate with them, do so at a distance, even if you have to raise your voice. Try to put some kind of barricade between you and them while you communicate.

•If it appears that someone is following you, drive to a police station or a public place.

•If you are in need of help, yell statements such as “Leave me alone” or “Stay away from me” instead of just screaming. Statements leave no doubt to anyone that hears them that you need assistance.

•Immediately report any suspicious behavior to the Martin Police Department or Campus Safety and Security

•Always lock your vehicle doors.