Susan Boswell, dean of student life; Paula Burger, vice provost for academic affairs and vice dean for undergraduate education; Ron Mullen, director of security, parking and transportation services; Carl Gutberlet, chief of patrol for Baltimore City. PHOTO BY HPS/JAY VANRENSSELAER

In what was billed as a town hall meeting, President William R. Brody, other top Johns Hopkins administrators and members of the Baltimore City Police Department met with 100 Homewood students on April 26 to discuss safety concerns brought to light in the wake of the recent murder of student Christopher Elser. Elser, a junior from Camden, S.C., was stabbed by an intruder who had entered an unlocked rear door to the house where Elser was sleeping.

Pointing out that the university and city already have strong security measures in place in the neighborhoods surrounding the Homewood campus, Brody said, "I pledge my support to double our efforts and make it better." The goal, he said, is to have zero crime "and certainly zero incidents with our students."

Among the concerns brought forward by students were poor lighting on city streets, insufficient "blue light" emergency telephones and lack of security systems in off-campus housing. They also expressed a desire for more frequent shuttle service and for the university to do more outreach informing students of security phone numbers and available services.

In a recent e-mail to students, faculty and staff, Brody outlined measures currently being taken and others that need to be addressed. Among them, the Security Office is currently working with iXP Corp., a leading consulting firm that specializes in campus security, to assess its systems and procedures. The e-mail letter can be found at www.jhu.edu/news/home04/apr04/elser7.html.

Baltimore Police and JHU Security have added officers to the neighborhoods on the east side of the campus, with special attention to alleys and the rear of buildings.

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