Students take defense into their own hands

This article was modified on November 1, 2006 to correct an error. The correction read that there had been 15 on-campus robberies reported this year, not this semester.

When freshman letters and sciences major Dan Sharkey purchased a taser online for $50, he wasn't gearing up to work mall security or go on patrol with the local police force - he was preparing to walk home on the streets of College Park.

With the university ranked second on the FBI's list of most violent campuses and 15 on-campus robberies already reported this year, students like Sharkey are arming themselves against attacks with alarms, pepper spray or self-defense tactics.

"I used to feel comfortable walking back from McKeldin [Library]," said sophomore aerospace engineering major Laura Meyer, who said she now walks more cautiously across campus.

While campus and College Park officials stress safety in numbers is the best weapon against crime, they too are developing ways to help students stay as safe as possible in case they find themselves in risky situations.

Kim Lugo, president of College Park Neighborhood Watch, said the group is planning to host four self-defense classes in November. The group, which holds similar sessions periodically, decided to increase the number of sessions in response to recent crime, Lugo said.

The classes are open to men, women and children over the age of seven, and will teach participants physical methods to get away from criminals, she said. Dates and locations have not been finalized.

While tasers remain a rarity, self-defense items are becoming more common.

Sharkey said he made the purchase after receiving crime alerts and reading the profiles of robbery suspects, many of whom were at least 6-foot-5 and carried guns.

"I know I don't have a chance with them at all," he said. "I could have gotten pepper spray, but then you have to aim it in the robbers eyes. It takes longer to defend yourself."

Tasers, on the other hand, are safe, effective and legal, Sharkey said. Modern tasers fire two small darts that carry an electric current which disrupt nerve and muscle function.

"The guy is knocked out until the police get there or I tase him again," Sharkey said.

Although tasers are legal in College Park, they are prohibited in other cities, including Washington.

Greg Flood, manager of Bethesda's Ranger Surplus Army/Navy store, said he advises customers to use pepper spray. The spray can be purchased at Ranger Surplus for $8.99 for a half-ounce can.

According to Flood, pepper spray should be used on the criminal for about 15 seconds. Even though the can contains 125 seconds worth of spray, Flood advises victims buy a new can after using the first to ensure they will have enough in the future.

Freshman business and linguistics major Andrew King said he doubts the effectiveness of pepper spray and instead carries a four-inch "flick blade." King carries the small knife on the outside of his clothing at night to stop muggers from approaching him.

"If you see somebody with a knife on the outside, and somebody without one, who are you going to jump?" King said.

According to Sarah Wolf, a teacher at the Washington-based self-defense school D.C. Impact, King is on the right track.

"The number one thing we advise is avoidance," Wolf said.

If a confrontation occurs, she advises the victim scream or make a scene to draw attention. However, Wolf still advocates self-defense classes for protection.

"The more physically capable you are, the less likely you are to be attacked," Wolf said.

Cassie Bottge contributed to this report. Contact reporters James B. Hale and Arslaan Arshed at newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu.