In the weeks following the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, news about the case was on everyone’s minds. For UNC Charlotte students, the murder had a much deeper impact, prompting the question: “Are other young people safe on the light rail?”
Concerns about personal and campus safety related to the light rail are not new for students. With a station directly on campus and two others near University buildings, students have voiced concerns for years about suspicious individuals while riding and entering campus.
One hundred thirty-one UNC Charlotte students shared their thoughts about the light rail and its safety following Zarutska’s murder. While they represent a small percentage of the student population, they give insight into various aspects of safety on the light rail…