In an recent editorial interview with The State Press, ASU President Michael Crow had some interesting words to say about the university’s crime problem.
After being asked about the negative image the student population is projecting of ASU as a whole (as a result of many violent attacks, rising crime stats almost across the board), Crow stated: “Look at our statistics…Yes, we have issues, but they are issues that are not unmanageable … (and) all students are held accountable.” REALLY!?
We looked at your crime statistics several months ago, and yes, they’re unmanageable. They became so when your PD became UNABLE to respond as the primary unit for the majority of its calls. Why are they unable to respond? They’re so short-staffed they can’t even work their own special events. Of course sir, you wouldn’t have the slightest notion of this assertion, because when someone from your office calls to report a “suspicious package” (ie, a BANANA!), Chief Pickens sends out the entire department to a NON-CRIME RELATED CALL.
As for holding your students accountable? We’re all for it. You should also hold your staff accountable, especially the ones that oversee the management of the police department. Hold those people accountable who have looked the other way when millions of dollars was thrown down the drain.
Ironically, the article winds down with Crow stating, “We have a number of behavioral issues in and around the University, and they’re complex things that we’re working on. We need as much help and ideas as possible to be able to create the safest environment that we can create.”
On this blog, we’ve laid out almost every issue that desperately needs attention at ASUPD, in hopes that someone would read it and secure a safer and better environments for students and staff alike. Having s0me of “your people” investigate the merits of our claims is a step in the right direction, however, the exigency of the situation is quickly overtaking your ability to control it.
I partially agree with Mike, they aren’t unmanageable, but I don’t see anyone managing the issues. I see Mike trusting what ASUPD administration is telling him in order to save their jobs.
Instead of fixing the problem they increasingly want to shift the policing concerns to Tempe. Politics is going to get an ASU officer hurt or worse before people start taking the issue seriously and that’s outrageous.
I don’t think Mike has any intention of admitting ASUPD has an issue. They probably expect the City of Tempe and Tempe PD to handle all the overflow.
If they can build multi-million dollar buildings overnight everywhere why does it take so long to address mismanagement in a key University department? No excuses. The kids deserve better, the lies need to stop, the fix needs to happen. At the rate they are going ASUPD will be a deserted island before they see the writing, by then it will be too late.
I’m not sure what to make of Mr. Crow. He goes right up to us and talks, seems like a nice guy who genuinely cares about the department, but then why doesn’t he know about all the issues and fix them? Are ASUPD admin convincing him everything really is ok and manageable?
I hope Mr. Crow looks at what other big university police departments are doing, looks at how we are lacking, and makes some changes at out department. It won’t happen right away, but someday those changes could save some lives because we would be that much more prepared.
Michael Crow, please manage your, our, police department. The people you trusted to haven’t been able to do so in a positive manner. Compare your police department to the university police department of the next largest universities and make an unbiased study comparison. Your diligence could make a world of difference to everyone here and probably would be lifesaving.