At first glance, it's easy to believe that Medford and Somerville are quiet towns where crime doesn't exist. Most students share this perception of Tufts and the surrounding area for the four years we live here. For the most part our area is safe, but the unfortunate burglaries that occurred over winter break should serve as a warning to the Tufts community.
In many ways, Tufts acts as a bubble, protecting many of us from the grim realities of urban life. Peers at NYU or BU have to deal with the threat of burglaries and violence - but why should we worry about it at Tufts? Because college students are prime targets for burglars. Students have a reputation for collecting valuable hi-tech toys - laptops, video game consoles, iPods - and are known to be gone for weeks at a time in late December and early January. It's a burglar's dream.
The apparent connection between drugs and the burglaries should alert the Tufts community even more. The Medford Police Department said that illegal OxyContin and heroin use is on the rise in Medford, and addicts, trying to raise funds to buy more drugs, could have committed the burglaries. It is too soon to tell if increased drug use will lead to more violence in the Medford area, but Tufts students should be aware of the higher risk of burglary.
It could be easy for some students to write off these thefts, since they all occurred in off-campus apartments on the north side of campus. But if the drug problem spreads, so will the crime. Students who live in dorms especially should be aware of who they let into the building. It would be wise for those who live in off-campus apartments to invest in added security, ensuring that doors and windows have secure locks and perhaps using computerized keys, like those given to the house burgled on Capen Street.
Tufts must also take an active role in fighting increased drug use and subsequent crime in Medford and Somerville. As one Medford police officer pointed out, any drug problem in the town will spread onto campus.
The University can also work with local authorities to help residents secure their homes and develop programs to curb drug use in the area. By proactively fighting the spread of heroin and OxyContin, Tufts can improve its reputation for giving back to the local community in a time of need.
