Crime has been a big topic lately, and for good reason. The biggest word lately revolves around responsibility of safety and how the city, the University or the state should step up and provide safer areas and better enforcement.
I’m all for it, though I have an issue to pose regarding Jonathan Bowers’ column in Thursday’s paper regarding Eugene Pioneer Cemetery. It’s not me avoiding the issue of safety concerns, it’s asking a simple question: Ever consider the advice to potential victims to avoid the cemetery?
My daily route often takes me right through the unlit grounds, but I acknowledge it’s a risk I take in the middle of the night. On the evenings I feel too much at risk, I’ll take the one-block diversion along East 18th Avenue or through University commons.
Yes, it’s dark, it’s scary and I don’t discount the benefits of lighting. But isn’t it reasonable to address the responsibility an individual has when putting themselves in a riskier situation? Inappropriate lighting may not have been the best PR@@I know, it should probably be ‘public relations’, but PR flows more easily and doesn’t kill the sentence.@@ term, but it’s better than calling out the less-than-smart actions of others. Fences, lights, patrolled officers; that means a lot of money which to me is, well — I just have to shake my head at that rationale. It just sounds like an attempt to throw money at a problem better handled elsewhere.
Adam Marcus
University student