(From left): Dr. Dan Miller, Lycoming dean of student affairs; Williamsport Police Chief Gregory Foresman; Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana; and AJ Francavilla, president of the student senate.

Williamsport will be getting safer in the future, according to Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana, who addressed more than 60 students, faculty and staff on Monday, Feb. 4, at a Student Senate of Lycoming College (SSLC) forum, held in the Jane Schultz Room, Wertz Student Center.

“It’s my commitment in the next for years to put a dent in crime (in the city),” Campana said. “Everything’s going to be fine in this city.”

In an effort to achieve this, Campana, who has lived in the city for 44 years, said that his administration plans on working with the community in an effort to reduce crime and make sure that everyone feels safe.

“I am determined to work with the citizens of this city,” he said. Campana was invited to speak at the meeting after students at the college expressed concern about public safety issues in Williamsport that have arisen in the past several months.

“Our goal was to engage the new administration in a discussion regarding the most recent concerns as well as developing the dialogue to move forward on initiatives that will benefit public safety for college and community members,” said A.J. Francavilla, president of SSLC.

Campana said he plans on hiring more police officers and hopes to implement a community policing program and neighborhood watch programs around the city.

“I want this city to be safe, as safe as it can be,” Campana said. He also emphasized the need to proactively prevent crime by supporting educational programs that teach children the importance of positive behavior and character building, such as Williamsport’s Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action (CAPPA).

“You have to be proactive,” he said. “We are working on things like that.”

Campana also revealed that he will be traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with legislators who represent this area, including Congressman Christopher Carney (D), from the 10th district of Pennsylvania, and Senators Bob Casey Jr. (D) and Arlen Specter (R), in an effort to secure funding for further projects geared toward public safety, such as better lighting in areas frequently traveled by college students around campus.

“I’m hoping to get a commitment for additional monies to take care of that issue,” Campana said.

Williamsport police chief Gregory Foresman emphasized that in order to be safer when traveling off and around campus, students need to take steps to ensure their own safety.

“You’ve all got to start being more aware of where you are,” Foresman said. He recommended traveling in groups, staying in well-lit areas and using common sense when it comes to personal safety, especially when alcohol is involved.

“If you’re downtown and you’ve been drinking, you’re nothing but a target,” Foresman said. He warned students against becoming the target of criminals who are intent to do harm.

“Don’t be that person,” he said. Both Foresman and Campana said that in the near future, the possibility of a bus to take students to and from downtown hot-spots could become a reality.

“In the next two years there’s going to be a lot of neat things to come,” Campana said. “Our administration embraces that this is a college town.”

Francavilla said that he was very pleased with the turnout and the concern Lycoming’s students, faculty and staff showed at the meeting.

“I think our turnout was excellent,” Francavilla said. “We reached more than 55 students and 11 faculty and staff members. I am grateful for the efforts put forth by our students, faculty and staff for their well-written and thoughtful questions in regards to Lycoming and Williamsport’s concerns about public safety.”

Campana concluded by urging any student or member of the Lycoming community with concerns to contact him so that a solution can be reached. He also said that another visit to Lycoming could be coming in the future.

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