Preparing for the worst

No one saw it coming. He entered the house unnoticed and quietly crept into Lisa Levy's room. He watched her sleeping like a snake waiting to devour his prey. He beat the Florida State University college student with a log, raped her and strangled her before moving on to his next victim. He murdered two young women that evening and severely injured three more. \nTed Bundy looked like an average college student. He was young, intelligent and handsome, yet he was one of the most sought after serial killers during the 1970s. According to www.crimelibrary.com, , Bundy said he took between 30 and 40 lives before he was executed in 1989. Ironically, his executioner was a woman.\nIt can happen anywhere. "ABC News" estimated that 1.9 million women are physically assaulted in the United States each year. With a statistic so disturbing, why did I see a young woman running alone at 11 p.m. last Monday night? And why do I see intoxicated individuals stumbling home from the Villas every Sunday morning? Unless you're heading to church, this is not a good idea. \nIt is unfortunate that we live in a society with people we cannot trust, but we do. And it is imperative we play it safe. In 2001 there were 12 violent crimes in Bloomington and five forcible rapes according to www.campussafety.org. This does not account for rape and assault cases that go unreported.\nThere are ways to protect yourself against blatant acts of violence. First, it begins with common sense. Don't run alone at night. Don't trust everyone at the bars. Don't opt for a drunken stumble home from the bars over a nice warm ride on the midnight special.\nWhat is the midnight special you may ask? It's a bus that uses our favorite IU slogan: "Free with a student ID." In reality, nothing is free with a student ID. We pay for this shuttle to navigate the streets of Bloomington with our wonderful semester transportation fees. Why don't you get your money's worth and take advantage of this safe ride home? \nThis ride is not only safe, but police really like it when students use the bus. When was the last time you saw the Bloomington Police Department pull a bus over? The bus circulates two routes every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and is commonly called "the drunk bus." I've heard the driver really enjoys company, intoxicated college students included.\nThere is also a campus security service. Judging by the amount of students on cell phones between classes, this alternative is simple. All you do is dial 855-SAFE and ask for an escort to walk you back to your residence. I realize the first thing that pops in your head after a three-hour evening lab is not exactly "Let's call campus security," but it's a much safer option.\n Lastly, use your friends. If your friends refuse to pick you up from the library at 1 a.m., you need new friends. The cliché is correct: There is power in numbers. You should also convince your friends to register for self-defense classes with you. It can't hurt to be prepared for the worst. It is inevitable that not every act of violence can be prevented.\nWe are all familiar with the case of Jill Behrman. She disappeared the morning of May 31, 2000, while she was riding her bike -- proving that we are not safe even during Bloomington daylight hours. Violence happens here, and it can happen to you.