It’s easy to feel helpless in regard to the recent elevated level of crime near campus, but students should know there are several campus safety resources of which they can take advantage.

The Huskie Student Patrol and the Late Night Ride Service are two such resources.

The HSP is comprised of students hired to escort fellow students around campus. If you need to walk somewhere late at night, call the HSP at 753-9679. After all, they are paid to walk students from one location to another.

The LNR offers a ride to students anywhere in DeKalb, with a no-questions-asked policy. They can be reached at 753-2222, and they only require you to provide them with the location and a phone number where you can be reached.

In an article printed today (page 3), the HSP reported its has not experienced an increase in calls, even in light of the seven robbery attempts this month. Perhaps students are not aware that this service is available, or many do not think to use it. In any case, we should keep in mind that we have to take the first steps in keeping ourselves out of harm’s way.

DeKalb police told the Northern Star that they plan to add more patrols to help increase safety. We hope that once students realize this resource is available to them, more will take advantage of the service.

A little bit of prevention can go a long way. With increased individual responsibility, as well as more of a student effort to capitalize on NIU’s safety resources, we can begin to less helpless and more safe.