Correction: This article has been updated to reflect Vice President John Parker is VP of Administrative Services not Student Services. In addition, a previous version of this article labeled campus “camera-free”. This is incorrect as there are cameras in the bookstore and accounting offices. This story has been updated to reflect those facts. City Times regrets the error.

San Diego City Community College received a campus-wide alert early in the morning on Feb. 22, indicating there had been a robbery at knife point near Schwartz Square.

The victim, a Continuing Ed student, sustained minor injuries but is expected to make a full recovery. This stark reminder of how our personal safety can become abruptly at risk and without warning. 

This was the second stabbing this year and in both instances the assailant was apprehended quickly and awaits due process. Both victims were injured but will recover physically, according to District Police.

Ecology major and first-time City student Jae Olguin has seen a lot in her first semester at City College. She and fellow student Jay Piedrabuena said they feel “pretty safe” on campus despite the recent attacks. 

“We’re new students, so this is our first semester, being welcomed with two of the timely warning emails was kind of a shock,” Olguin said.

From the start of the spring 2025 semester, the San Diego Community College District has been supportive of students as it seeks to create safe spaces. Chancellor Greg Smith also held a district-wide town hall on Feb. 26, to meet with student resource center leaders and listen to their concerns. Many of which surrounded the topic of safety.

Assistant Photography Professor Caity Fares recognizes that safety is a complicated issue, and in her nearly nine years experience, she appreciates the efforts being made to make City College a safer campus.  

“I think a college campus can be kind of a microcosm of society as a whole in some ways. So for example if collectively, women and queer and trans-people are unsafe in society in general, then of course there will be elements of feelings of un-safety on campus,” Fares said. “However, I think that college campuses are a space to transcend the limitations of society and reimagine and advocate for better conditions for everyone.”

The first step is to recognize the specific challenges presented to a campus like City, which is an open, urban campus and aims to remain that way.

As Vice President of Administrative Services at City College, John Parker spends a lot of time at City and often leaves campus late in the evening. He believes the campus is safe despite the recent incidents.

“When I leave, anywhere from dusk until late in the evening, not too late, but around eight-ish or so, you’ll notice folks walking their dogs,” Parker said. “I can tell you, I feel safe. There is a presence from our police department in the evening as well. They’re very visible.”

Film student Zuzu Gruskin agrees and said she has noticed the police presence on campus.

“I feel like there’s always a lot of people around and there’s officers on campus a good amount of the time,” Gruskin said. “We have our own police station on campus, so I think there’s a good amount of safety measures.”

Parker added that City College continues to increase student safety around campus by trimming bushes and increasing light in trouble areas. He also suggested students get the LiveSafe app. This downloadable tool aims to connect students with law enforcement in real-time. Students can report an emergency and request an escort to-and-from classes by campus police.

Police Lieutenant Jeff Hughes is one of 26 full-time police officers responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the entire San Diego Community College District. District police operate separately from the San Diego City Police and are required by state law under the Clery Act.  

Lt. Hughes believes the department has a “very good relationship” and continues to “soften barriers” with students. He too, suggests students get the LiveSafe app, use the buddy system when walking to-and-from classes and asks students to report suspicious activity promptly.

Any college located in a major city has its share of challenges. For San Diego City College and the District, working together to make campus and the surrounding area safe is a goal for both students and faculty.

In the recent Chancellors town hall held at Mesa College, Trustee Board Member Marichu Magaña had a message for students on how we can come together as a community. 

“I look around and I say, if you’re scared, if you’re worried, look around you,” Magaña said. “All our faculty, all our staff, are now trained or being trained. We have these discussions, and we’re here for you. Our job is to make sure you’re safe. Our job is to make sure you’re getting the education that you came here for. We’re all here to help you.”

Multimedia Journalist Javier Hernandez contributed to this report.