Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                            Matt Dulin    Barrett Goldsmith    Zach Lee 
                Jim Parsons            Christian Schmidt           Blake Whitaker

Calling Superman?

For two UH students, giving up their wallets to complete strangers seemed like the fair thing to do.

That's the perspective one has when a shotgun is pointed at them. 

In a risky move, one other UH student approached this weekend by two robbers, refused to comply with their demands and fled. He's lucky he ran away with his life.

For the rest of us, the news of two suspects brandishing a shotgun in a series of armed robberies on campus is a bit chilling. How safe can we be if criminals roam the outskirts of campus, ready to hold us up as we leave for the night?

In a situation like that, there's no time to call UHPD, and there's no Superman swooping in to clean up. 

But if you have to go to your automobile alone late at night, take time to call UHPD beforehand to get a ride. The University also offers a free escort service, Cougar Patrol. 

Don't assume that crimes like these only happen at night, too. Cars in parking lots near and far get hit by burglaries, and criminals respect no hour of day. 

UH is not a haven for crime, but the realities of the world do not become ineffectual once you hit Cullen Boulevard. 

The recent crimes are not typical, but they're not unusual. These are simply reminders to remain vigilant and to look after one another. When going to your car, especially at night, it wouldn't hurt to get a friend to walk with you. It won't cost you a thing, but getting held up at gunpoint will. 

Police urge victims to comply with armed criminals. Faced by the other options, there is no better course of action. Running away risks your life over the contents of your wallet, which for many students means losing rarely more than $20 and a check or credit card one could easily cancel. Moreover, victims that live remember the faces of the men who robbed them, the clothes they wore and the car they drove away in.
 
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