As night falls over the University of Cincinnati, there's a growing concern about an increase in robberies around the campus.
Since the school year started, Cincinnati police reported over 110 robberies in the neighborhoods surrounding the UC campus.
Both UC campus police and Cincinnati police are giving the campus and surrounding neighborhoods of Corryville, University Heights, Fairview Heights and Clifton more attention at night, especially on weekends.
They've seen an increase in personal robberies across the neighborhoods this fall.
The University of Cincinnati is generally a safe campus, but a recent spike in nighttime robberies has given police, residents and students extra cause for concern.
UC sophomore Joey Debemedetto says, "It's definitely an issue. More so in the night time. My car was broken into two days ago. They stole everything inside my car."
Recently, Cincinnati police stepped up efforts of its robbery task force because of almost a robbery per night is reported in these neighborhoods.
Here's a surprise – it's not women who are primarily at risk.
UC Public Safety Captain Karen Patterson says, "A lot of the victims are males walking alone. So, we really trying to make sure this population knows there are safety measures out there they can take."
Capt. Paterson says too many students walking alone are distracted by music players or cellphones to notice who may be around them, especially after dark.
Patterson also says these robbers don't jump out of the bushes.
"A lot of the ones that I've seen are people who have actually passed one another on the sidewalk, and they've come back and come around and robbed that person."
Many of the male students 9News spoke to weren't aware of their increased robbery risk at night, until we told them.
UC Senior Ben Levine tells 9News, "As far as I know, today, it's not a big deal at this time of day. But I mean, at night, I guess, it can get a bit shaky."
Joey Debemedetto adds, "It's definitely a major issue. I try to walk in a group, as much as I can. I live with four other people and we always travel together, just to be safe."
This weekend UC campus and Cincinnati police will be distributing door-hanger warnings in a special effort to protect students and residents from crime.
Their advice: Lock your doors, light up your porches and "buddy up" with friends to reduce your crime risk.
