Campus Fears

By Diana Lucio Reporter

The murders of college co-eds in Alabama and North Carolina are causing concerns for young women. Campus Fears

Published: Sun, March 09, 2008 - 10:33 pm Last Updated: Sun, March 09, 2008 - 11:07 pm

Diana Lucio

The murders of two college women, one an 18-year-old Auburn, Alabama student, the other a 22-year-old North Carolina Student, are hitting home for many young women here in Mobile. "It's really kinda scary because it's just a random person just attacked a young woman and I can't always be with someone 24-7 walking around, "said Natalie Curtis.

Lieutenant Jerry Taylor with the Mobile County Sheriff''s Office says young women are often seen as easy targets. "A lot of times young women, especially if they're alone by themselves, isolated from a group, they become targets because they are perceived in that manner,"said Lieutenant Taylor.

Some young women we spoke with say they know they have to be more careful than men."i take precautions when go out with my friends, I try to keep my cellphone on me and I just go with somebody always, "said Veronica Ramirez.Taylor says while it's simple advice, it's also one of the safest."If you can, if it's at all possible you want to travel in groups, you never want to allow yourself to become isolated, especially late at night," Said Taylor.

Lieutenant Taylor says besides a cellphone, mace is also something you can carry for protection. For those who are interested, the Mobile County Sheriff's Office says civilian tasers are now available.