Thousands of University students call off-campus housing complexes around the University’s campus home. But crime that has been occurring at some students’ complexes is making them feel not so at home.

Junior Natural Resource Ecology and Management major Brad Frazier was robbed at gunpoint just near his apartment’s front door in July of 2016.  Frazier said the incident was almost surreal.

 “…he grabbed me by the shoulder, and was like ‘Hey give me the phone.’” Frazier said. “And when I turned around there was a gun in my face…”

1,411 crimes were reported at popular off-campus housing complexes to the Baton Rouge Police Department from January 2015 to June 2016, according to data analyzed by Student Government’s Director of Transportation Chuck Mock. Mock said that SG wanted to be a part in finding a solution.

“Zack and I sat down last semester and said there’s got to be something here that we can do,” Mock said.

This semester, SG launched its “Gold Standard Student Housing Program” initiative. The goal of the program; to be a proactive initiative to reduce crime and raise awareness of crime-stopping efforts for everyone at off-campus complexes, according to the SG’s website.

 SG President Zack Faircloth said the program is involving multiple private and public agencies to assist housing complexes in keeping students safe.

“Property owners, the students, the DA’s Office, LSUPD and BRPD are all apart of this,” Faircloth said.

The program hopes to announce its first Gold Standard complexes by January 2017.

But before any complexes receive the Gold Standard, Junior Mass Communications major Ellen Farmer said it’s important to remember common sense tips to avoid being a target for crime. Farmer’s apartment was burglarized during the summer of 2016.

“Looking around when I’m coming home, just kind of seeing who’s coming in and out of the complex, making sure to lock the doors…” Farmer said. “(And) not necessarily always being on my phone when I walk in. Things like that.”