Students at the University of South Carolina (USC) who live in off-campus apartments near the Columbia campus have reported concerns about safety. These concerns follow several recent crimes, including shootings and break-ins. Many students say they feel vulnerable, especially in residential complexes south of the university along Bluff Road.
One incident involved Thomas Saboe, a USC junior living at Garnet Crossing. Saboe and his roommates experienced a break-in when a stranger entered their apartment, claiming to be moving in. The next day, the same person tried to enter again through a bedroom window. Saboe and his roommate called 911, and police detained the suspect. After the incident, neighbors Caroline Estock and Hannah Matters took self-defense classes and began carrying personal safety devices.
Security concerns have also been reported at Redpoint Columbia, another off-campus complex. There have been several violent incidents there, including a fatal shooting in May 2025 and another shooting in September that injured two people. In response, Redpoint Columbia added security guards at its gates. AP Professional Security now provides personnel at the complex after the September incident…