Officers want to increase efforts to keep college students safe after recent robberies

SALISBURY, N.C. — Some Livingstone College students told Eyewitness News they are scared to step foot off campus after three violent armed robberies nearby in one month.

Livingstone Police Chief Gloria Blaire said her officers work around the clock, but she wants to increase efforts to keep students safe.

The most recent and violent robbery occurred on Wednesday night on West Thomas Street. A robber bit one victim's ear.

Senior Ethan Grantham knows the neighborhoods can be rough.

"When I first got here, they told us not to leave the yard at night and to stay on the yard at night time," Grantham said.

He showed Eyewitness News a flier posted at his dorm that warns students about the crimes.

Blaire requested Salisbury police add more patrols, and school leaders are looking to offer students more chances to catch a safe shuttle off campus to nearby restaurants.

"For the short distance to Innes Street, I'm not sure how practical it will be, but we are in communication with each other trying to find things that will work," she said.

Eyewitness News checked the college's latest crime report. It shows only two on-campus robberies in the past three years.

Blaire said the school's guard station helps because the guard tracks anyone who comes to the college.

She intends to make sure the nearly 1,000 students hear more lessons on safety.

Salisbury police said the first robbery involving Livingstone students in September could be gang-related.

It's not clear if the two recent crimes are as well; however, police said at least two of these cases are connected.

No arrests have been made, but police received names of several people to investigate.

WSOC