Dennis Romero2012 was a tough year for crime on and near the USC campus in Southwest L.A.
Four people were allegedly shot by a non-student at a Halloween party on campus and, worse, two grad students were fatally gunned down in an alleged robbery gone-bad about a mile from school in spring.
The university is now gearing up to make a historic move — shutting down the campus to outsiders overnight:
Credit: USC
Starting next Monday, when students return after the campus' winter break, the campus will officially lock its gates and doors from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night.
About 27 total entrances to the University Park campus will be reduced to eight that will be monitored by security guards, according to USC.
Students, staff and faculty are good, but everyone else who wants to visit during those overnight hours will need an invite and a photo ID, the school says.
Is it a sad day for USC? After all, the school prides itself on being an integrated member of its community. It has long fought against charges that it's an inner-city bastion of suburban-kid wealth.
USC VP of student affairs Michael L. Jackson:
We're doing this because we really care about the security and safety of students, faculty and staff.
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