ASU Downtown students concerned about safety

Arizona State University students living on the downtown Phoenix campus are buying mace and avoiding going out alone at night. They're worried about safety when they venture off campus.

Earlier this month, stray bullets damaged the journalism school building during an off-campus shooting in the middle of the night. More than 500 students are currently living in the downtown residence hall, Taylor Place.

Female students say they've been harassed with cat-calls while walking off campus. Others say they are worried about encounters with the large transient population in the area. Some say they would feel safer if there was more foot traffic downtown after hours.

ASU Assistant Police Chief Jay Spradling says the dorm has state-of-the-art key card security. Security cameras and emergency call boxes also dot the small campus. University officers, Phoenix police and security guards all patrol areas frequented by students.

"Statistically, I'll tell you, we've had very low crime at that campus," Spradling said, "and I know of no safety issues that would give me cause for alarm for the students down there."