Over the past few months, criminal activity at and around Georgetown University has been on the rise after a three-year decline. A shooting in a Village B apartment last Thursday was the latest in a string of crimes that have shaken the sense of security on campus.

Even before the shooting, the Uiversity changed the building access policy to allow only residents into their dormitories after 9:00 p.m. That change has proven unpopular with students who complain that the university is trying to keep students out and that the card readers in dorm lobbies often are broken.

The access restrictions and increased patrols by campus and D.C. police officer have at least have the appearance of safety. At the recently-renovated New South residence hall, students must pass through new, permanent, turnstile-like devices while sliding their GoCard. If someone is trying to enter at a restricted time, a loud buzzer sounds and the guard intervenes. While this definitely makes residents feel secure, and may inconvenience others, time will tell if it actually results in a decrease in campus crime.

(In fact, as this article was being written, DCist received an e-mail from campus police about a robbery that took place Wednesday. The suspects were arrested.)