The UNM Police Department intervened in an attempted rape at the corner of Lomas and Campus boulevards Wednesday.
UNMPD Lt. Pat Davis said the incident was isolated and involved no one directly affiliated with UNM.
"Fortunately, campus police were able to intervene quickly and prevent a more serious crime from happening, and that's what we're here for," Davis said.
Davis said Bobby Williams, who is not a student, attacked a woman while she was sleeping in a tree on campus. A man nearby ran to the police station, and Williams was arrested.
Davis said students should take a few seconds to be aware of their surroundings when coming back to campus and take the opportunity to think about whom they are with and what they are doing.
Davis said violent crimes are not common on campus, and there was one reported rape during the 2005-06 school year. New data for the past school year will not be available until October, but many rapes go unreported, Davis said.
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Harry Linneman, director of Counseling and Therapy Services at UNM, said sexual assault cases come up each semester.
"However, I do not characterize it as a lot (of cases)," he said.
Linneman said UNM has adequate resources for dealing with trauma and counseling issues associated with these types of cases.
"The biggest issues we have in terms of dealing with students and prevention is whether they are using good judgment," he said.
Some students said they are aware of necessary precautions they need to take.
"I think it's very important to be aware," freshman Kayla Jabour said. "Both men and women need to watch out because rape goes both ways."
Linneman said the Student Health Center serves sexual assault victims immediately.
"It is considered an emergency situation," he said. "In an actual sexual assault case, we take all necessary precautions to ensure (the victim's) safety."
Davis said campus police are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the blue phones located throughout campus ring directly to campus 911.
There are about 120 blue boxes on Main Campus, and Davis said UNMPD receives 10 to 12 calls per week.
He said the calls range from car assistance to reports of suspicious activity.
Senior Daniel Bayliss said he has never had any security issues and feels safe for the most part.
"I think there could be more police around campus, but it is not terribly inadequate," Bayliss said.
Bayliss said he thinks more police visibility, such as foot patrols, could help people feel more secure.
Davis said that for the first time this year people will see new cars and more visible officers at night out on foot, on bicycles and in residence areas.
"The University is committed to expanding the police department, and they are actively recruiting," he said.
But UNMPD also relies on student cooperation, Davis said.
"Safety is really all about looking out for each other," he said.
