Walking to class, heading back to dorms or grabbing a late-night snack, Kent State students can’t miss the glowing blue light of emergency phones across campus. Each one promises an instant connection to emergency services if trouble arises.
To administrators, these lights, alongside patrols, escort services and security alerts, are proof of a commitment to safety. But how do those measures translate into the day-to-day lives of students? How much security comes from the university and how much comes from students’ habits and instincts?
For many, safety is about both statistics and perception, and Kent State seems to strike the right balance between the two.
“I feel pretty safe on campus, especially with the blue lights all around,” says Pam Ntalah, a freshman biology major. “Each time I walk, I’m like, ‘Oh, there is one.’ My friends and I always joke about who would run over and hit it first if something happened.”
Kent State maintains over 40 emergency phones across campus, which are recognized by their blue lights. The Kent State Police Department employs 26 sworn officers who patrol the campus 24/7. The university also offers a free late-night escort service and uses Flash ALERTS, an emergency text notification system informing students of urgent situations.
“It is important for the community to know that our officers and staff are dedicated to providing law enforcement services in a professional, respectful and caring manner,” says Dean Tondiglia, former chief of the Kent State Police Department.
Yet, students’ sense of safety often comes from their own awareness and the presence of peers. Kianna Natko, a first-year early childhood education major, explains the comfort of knowing that someone is nearby.
“Even in less populated areas, I feel like there’s always somebody you can get to. There’s always just somebody there,” she says.
Walking under the dim glow of streetlights or along secluded paths, many find reassurance in spotting a fellow student.
For Sloane Crookston, a sophomore nursing student who grew up in Kent, familiarity adds another layer of confidence.
“I feel like campus is pretty safe, personally. I haven’t experienced an issue. I’ve lived in Kent my whole life, so I’m pretty familiar with everything, and I’ve never really felt unsafe on campus,” she says.
Val Close, a first-year biology major, offers another perspective, focusing on her personal experience walking across campus at night.
“Honestly, I feel pretty safe. … The only thing I really notice is how empty it is. I’m usually fairly on guard, but I’ve never had an issue,” she says.
While students’ perceptions are important, campus crime data provides crucial context. According to the 2025 Kent State Annual Security Report, the Kent campus reported in 2024: 13 incidents of forcible rape, 12 incidents of forcible fondling, one aggravated assault, zero burglaries, one arson and zero motor vehicle thefts. This suggests that violent crimes rarely occur and property crimes are limited.
Nationally, a 2021 survey published by the Clery Center found that many students were unaware their campuses offered safety escorts, and fewer had ever used them. While this data isn’t specific to Kent State, it illustrates safety resources don’t automatically translate into usage.
At Kent, students’ comfort seems rooted in official measures, personal vigilance and community awareness — a culture of looking out for one another.
Kent State’s emergency phones, patrols and alert systems, combined with low crime rates and watchful students, create an environment where people can feel secure navigating campus. As Ntalah puts it, “Campus is very, very safe by my say.”
Alexis Hood is a writer. You can reach her at [email protected].
