Cal State San Marcos Boosts Security After Four Reported Rapes

After several students reported rapes and requested more campus security, officials at California State University at San Marcos say they will increase police patrols around residence halls and other areas.

Within three weeks this month, students have reported four rapes on campus as well as one sexual assault, according to The Coast News Group and NBC San Diego. University officials said the incidents are unrelated, but the people involved knew each other. Students on campus face a higher risk of sexual assault during the start of the fall semester—a period of time commonly called the Red Zone.

All four incidents reportedly occurred in residence halls. One student who circulated an online petition said she was concerned about the increase in sexual violence and called on the university to increase the security presence on campus.

In a video statement released Wednesday, University President Ellen J. Neufeldt encouraged students to reach out to campus police if they notice an area that needs more security. The university says it has hired overnight security for the residential areas and is staffing the front desks at some residence halls around the clock, among other steps.

“Our police, housing staff and Title IX staff are ready and willing to help and are already in action,” Neufeldt said. “This may be something that happens across our nation on college campuses but we are never going to say it’s OK.”