To concerned Bowling Green residents: I am a graduate assistant at the University and am fairly new to the area, but I hold a great concern for our living environment.

I have visited the Bowling Green area for a few years now and have grown to love the atmosphere that the city of Bowling Green and the University have created. I feel that it is a fun and safe place to live and grow.

My concern comes from reading The BG News [last week]. I have seen several articles and blotter reports that have grabbed my attention.

It seems that break-ins and theft have become second nature to the residents around the University’s campus. As it appears, most of the break-ins have been non-University students, and what a sigh of relief. I have seen a trend of it being middle-aged men trying to do these unlawful acts.

The worst part is that ” a person I know took his dog outside to do its business, and a pair of middle-aged men tried to break into the person’s apartment while the resident was outside for a few minutes.

I don’t want to start a frenzy, but please do not think “this won’t happen to me.” Think about all the “cool” stuff college students might have in their apartment that is valuable. Yesterday, a woman had her place broken into, and $2,550 worth of jewelry was stolen.

So I am asking you, University students, to unite and help each other out. Most of us at least know what our neighbors look like by now; don’t be afraid to watch out for each other. I am afraid to leave my wife at home now, but with your help we can make this community safer.

-Nick Rhoades, Graduate Assistant, College of Education School of Teaching and Learning