Students returning from last year might recall the spike in crime that plagued the downtown "student ghetto" area early in the fall semester. For you new folks, the student ghetto is the area roughly defined as starting around Alumni Quad and ending right around Lake Avenue. It's a popular place for students to go. Mary Jane's, Pepper Jacks and Mild Wally's are all located in that area - not mention most of the college bars and keggers.

The area, however, also took on a seemingly more sinister tone when students reported early in the semester of being mugged and assaulted, almost always at night and when they were walking alone.

College students are an attractive, if not obvious mark for desperate thieves. Flush with cash for a night out, college students also tend to carry expensive cell phones and most don't have a good knowledge of the area at the start of the school year.

Urban students may have assumed that in upstate New York, crime isn't something to worry about. And students who hail from less populated areas may not be accustomed to watch out for petty street crime.

Last year's crime wave ended when the weather became colder and less people went outside to brave the Albany winter. But that doesn't mean another wave of theft won't start again. It also doesn't mean you have to be a victim.

Try not to walk alone when you're in the downtown area at night. Most muggers won't want to mess with a cadre of your friends/witnesses. Know where you're walking. While this does take planning, a nice Albany neighborhood can suddenly appear very dicey.

And when you're on campus, take advantage of the Don't Walk Alone program if you're worried about making a long walk to your dormitory from the library. Flood lights are set up around the podium that provide some safety as well.

That's not to say that there aren't shadowy areas to watch out for.

Also, don't think Albany isn't safe. Police, both the University cops and Albany P.D., patrol the area fairly well. Despite some student accusations that police officers are only interested in breaking up parties (a silly complaint, they're out there to protect you) the cops are out to act as a solid deterrent.

In the end, practicing some common sense street smarts will go a long way when you're traveling around downtown.