Jagannathan, 23, said after the forum. “We are also glad that police are continuing the investigation because we want to know more about the circumstances.”

“Often, I think we rely too much on technology for communication,” said Paul Grantham, assistant vice president for communication services, who moderated the event. “It’s hard to have a conversation by email in a way that fosters understanding, especially on important topics like this. Our purpose tonight is to have a dialogue so that we might listen and learn from each other.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta told the audience that Duke was already taking steps beyond expanding patrols off campus and increasing security personnel on campus. He explained that he and other university officials had just come from a meeting with a group of landlords who rent properties near campus to discuss ways to enhance security, such as installing dead-bolt locks and trimming shrubs near windows that might provide coverage for criminals

“They were eager to find ways they could be helpful and pledged to work with Duke, their tenants and Durham Police to do all they could on behalf of their tenants and our students,” Moneta said. 

He added that landlords encouraged students and other residents to immediately report any potential security problems, such as broken locks, to their landlord or property manager.

In response to questions about expanding Duke bus and Safe Ride routes, Vice President of Campus Services Kemel Dawkins said Duke is reviewing transportation routes and the Safe Ride program.

“We are also examining some nearby off-campus apartment complexes that house significant numbers of Duke students to determine ways to provide transportation alternatives,” Dawkins said after the forum.

The university is also exploring the feasibility of other initiatives.

“We know we have to expand our use of technology, such as security cameras,” said Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Aaron Graves. “Safety is truly a shared responsibility between all the agencies and the community.”

Durham City Council member Mike Woodard, a Duke alumnus and staff member, told the audience that the city is committed to working with the university to ensure the entire community’s safety. He said that one of the areas of focus announced recently by Mayor Bill Bell is a city-wide program to improve street lighting in Durham.

Woodard also said students and other residents can join in that shared responsibility by reporting security problems to Durham and Duke officials, signing up for city listservs and joining community groups such as Neighborhood Watch programs.

“Please get to know your Durham neighbors because they can really be your first line in safety,” Woodard told the audience.

Many members of the audience, which included numerous international students, emphasized that crime is a community-wide concern.

“This is an issue that affects the entire Duke community, not just international students,” Nilesh Mistry, an Indian graduate student studying biomedical engineering, said following the meeting. “We are glad that the Durham police and Duke are working together with students and the community to come up with solutions. We need to all work together because crime impacts everyone.”