UCLA Sorority Hires Security Amid Concerns of Harassment

A sorority at a well-known university in Southern California is enlisting nighttime private security after ongoing harassment from homeless individuals has left some students feeling unsafe.

The UCLA Panhellenic Society, which claims to be the largest women’s group on campus, recently made the decision to hire private security to patrol the sorority row along Hilgard Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.

Many young women have reported distressing encounters, including aggressive approaches and inappropriate comments from homeless people. Frustrated, they have criticized campus police for their lack of responsiveness to these issues.

“We had a meeting with UCPD a few weeks ago, and it didn’t go very well,” said 20-year-old Ani Hovanesian. “They seemed unaware of the problem and weren’t proactive at all. When we mentioned our concerns, their response was often, ‘Why don’t you call 911?’ We were, which is why we sought their help.”

Another student, 20-year-old Katherine Nitchley, admitted she doesn’t feel “completely safe.” She noted that the same three homeless men, typically older, frequently linger near the area, and one, for instance, has a habit of yelling at odd hours. “It’s unsettling,” she remarked.

“These men look right at you in a way that feels invasive,” Nitchley said. “They’d shout inappropriate remarks, and I found myself reacting defensively, asking them, ‘What are you staring at?’ because it was just too off-putting.”

Another sorority member shared similar sentiments, observing that there’s often minimal police presence around their area compared to fraternity houses where security is more apparent. Some even mentioned homeless individuals sleeping on the sorority’s lawn.

In response, the University of California Police Department stated they are actively conducting regular patrols in the vicinity.

“We take student concerns about harassment and disruptive behavior near Hilgard Street very seriously,” the department said. “Students deserve to feel safe in their living and studying environments, and we’re listening to their feedback.” They also mentioned increasing their nighttime patrols and collaborating with campus partners to address these worries.