Robbery seems to have run amok in Madison this fall.
On Sept. 28, an armed robbery on Regent Street put two campus buildings on temporary lockdown. Then, two armed robbers struck South Mills Street and East Gilman Street. Even a 91-year-old woman became the victim of robbery as she attempted to play cards at the East Madison Neighborhood Center.
And police have noted a seasonal spike in the number of homes robbed on campus.
While last year's crime wave - including two high-profile rape cases - involved alcohol, that factor alone cannot be the scapegoat of recent events, most of which involved 0.0 BAC. Furthermore, none of the recent armed robberies occurred past midnight. Alcohol-related solutions and safety tips, while still relevant, are therefore of limited utility.
Despite all approaches, there is clearly a limit to how much local efforts can affect crime rates. Students can stay sober and travel in groups; lawmakers can install security cameras and augment the police force. And given the uncertainty of the state budget, Madison can expect little help from the Capitol.
This leaves Madison residents with a choice: to accept crime as an outgrowth of city expansion, or to take personal responsibility in ensuring safety.
Of course, the latter is the obvious and yet seemingly cliché solution. But it the best choice nonetheless.
City residents cannot and should not leave it to the aldermen to make their city safe. It will take a collaboration of residents and representatives, beyond the select and vocal few, to incite true change in how Madison adapts to its big city status.
