In response to recent episodes of off-campus burglary, rioting and rape, neighborhood block watch programs and the Undergraduate Student Government Community Ambassador program have been active.

Block watch programs are sponsored and headed by the Columbus Division of Police in neighborhoods near campus.

“These are neighbors working together and watching out for each other. Keeping eyes and ears open,” said Larry Geis, the 4th Precinct community liaison.

Geis said there are two main block watches in the campus area.

Neighbors in Action is the block watch that extends from Chittenden Avenue to 15th Avenue between North 4th Street and the railroad tracks.

The Glen Echo block watch includes the area from Maynard Avenue to I-71.

“These are very good watches that have done the area good,” Geis said. The Glen Echo watch has been in effect for almost 12 years and the Neighbors in Action for three or four years.

Geis said the police department has tried to enact a block watch program for the Weinland Park area but has been unsuccessful.

“There are a lot of people in that area that want to do something about the problem. We just can’t get enough people to actually take action,” he said.”Community Ambassadors is a program that was designed to create a community atmosphere in the off-campus district while providing valuable resources to any student who may need them,” said John Rensink, the University District senator who is heading up the program.

The program’s goals are to provide cleaner, safer streets and to gain respect from the city and landlords.

This pilot program targets West 8th, Chittenden, 12th, 13th, 18th, Woodruff, Frambes and Norwich avenues. Each street is assigned a community ambassador, who holds monthly meetings and tries to bring the streets together as a community.

The ambassadors were chosen through an application process and most live on the street which they direct.

“We are on eight streets right now, and we would like to double that by next year, and in time have the program running on all University District streets,” Rensink said.

Tracie Mulhausen, ambassador for Woodruff and Frambes avenues, said this is an opportunity for students to get answers.

“Since we work directly with USG, we can answer questions and bring up topics students are concerned with that don’t feel comfortable or don’t know how to get involved in USG,” she said.

Anne Bringman, a senior in political science who lives on Frambes Avenue, said she thinks the Community Ambassador program is a good idea.

“It can create more of a sense of community in the campus area. Safety is also a main concern. As a young female, it would be nice to know your neighbors are watching out for you and that they can be trusted,” she said.

Geis said students need to know their neighborhoods and take extra safety precautions.

“Although all these programs are helpful, students still need to be aware of their surroundings,” Geis said.