It is Winona State University’s policy to inform students of crimes, such as the recent string of attacks and burglaries.

But not all incidents are reported to the student body.

“It really depends on the circumstances,” said Don Walski, Winona State’s director of security with 26-years of police experience.

If a student is sexually attacked by an acquaintance,  security rarely reports it to other students, since there isn’t a threat to other students, Walski said.

Another crime that isn’t reported to students is aggravated assault cases where the people involved know one another, Walski said.

Students are warned about burglaries.

Sexual assaults are reported to students when the victim doesn’t know the assailant because then other students are at risk.

The warnings go out to 10,000 people, Walski said, “So we need enough information before anything is sent out.”

Walski said “enough” information consists of a brief explanation of what occurred and a basic description of any suspects involved.

“About 10 to 20 percent of all assault cases get reported,” Walski said.

The majority of campus-related incidents are reported to university security, Walski said.

He said most of the campus cases reported to police get transferred over to Winona State’s security as well.

Walski said the only thing campus security does not handle are detoxification cases, which are transferred to the police.

The primary reason burglaries occur as often as they do is students leave their doors unlocked, Walski said.

“If people locked their doors most of the theft that happens wouldn’t occur,” Walski said.

“Most burglars go around and walk into unlocked rooms.”

Most violent crimes are committed by men, Walski said, which is why Winona State, predominantly a female campus, sees less violent crime.

Walski said that most assault cases, like bar fights, involve men and that  “you rarely see two women having a bar fight.”

Another aspect that makes the university safer is that there are no third-degree sex offenders living in Winona, Walski said.

But there are six second-degree sex offenders, Walski said, one of whom targets college-aged women.

He said the best way to avoid attack is to walk with other people, take shuttles when possible and to always keep doors locked.

Walski said Winona State is  a safe campus because it is well lit, but areas around campus are poorly lit and pose a potential threat to students walking home at night.

The other reason Winona State is safe, Walski said, is the blue poles around campus.

Both main campus and west campus area have blue poles and the East Lake Apartments should have one within the week outside building B, Walski said.

Security cameras are also placed around campus, Walski said, and a camera is installed in the Maria tunnel.

In the past four years, the blue poles have been activated four times, Walski said.

Walski said some campuses are buying a $40,000 software program, where  students may purchase a pendant to activate any pole within 200-feet away.

Walski said Winona State won’t have that program for another three to four years.