DeKALB | Campus officials addressed safety concerns Wednesday night at a forum regarding the recent attacks around campus.

While only about 25 students attended the forum at Stevenson North, attendees sought answers on a variety of issues, such as race, security cameras and policy on food delivery.

Many of the questions focused on Homecoming and the closing of West campus to traffic, but others addressed more recent attacks. In response, University Police Lt. Curtis Mitchell described all of the crimes as a matter of means, motive and opportunity.

“If you affect any one of those, you don’t have a crime,” he said. Mitchell said the attacks came mainly through opportunity. He said although police have a duty to protect the community, it is a “statistical improbability” that 46 police officers can protect the entire campus at all times, and students should take precautions.

UP Lt. Matthew Kiederlen said the reason for closing West campus is rooted in the past five to seven years, when traffic problems created a temporary “parking lot,” blocking emergency vehicles from getting through.

Kiederlen said he plans to continue closing these streets next Homecoming, and he said this strategy is ultimately safer.

The entire panel suggested the community can make strides to increase safety, such as walking in groups or refraining from listening to headphones while walking around campus. Students were encouraged to watch each other’s backs.

“Keeping tabs on yourselves and on each other is probably the single best thing we can do,” said SA President Adam Novotney.

When one student asked if race was a factor in the attacks, Brian Hemphill called the attackers “individuals,” who have “no respect for our community,” regardless of race, agenda or religion.

“A crime against one person is a crime against everyone,” he said.

After the forum, attendees left with mixed reactions.

“My problem was with the over-security,” said Tim Neubeck, president for Stevenson North Hall Council. Neubeck said state and city police offered “too much” help for Homecoming, although some attendees disagreed.

“We needed to have the police here,” said James Bronson, assistant vice president for Diversity and Equity. During Homecoming, Hemphill and Bronson patrolled Greek Row until four in the morning, finding parking problems and parties hours after the approved ending time. Bronson said NIU has softer security than many schools, especially when it comes to allowances for food delivery.

“This isn’t Chicago; this isn’t Decatur,” he said, “[But] this place is becoming more urbanized every year.”

Bronson said the forum showed people often expect stronger security, but not at the cost of their freedoms.