By Christina Robertson
For many students living south of campus, the overgrown bushes and dark pathways of Maeser Hill create an uneasy atmosphere.
Since the late 1980s, rumors have caused the hill south of campus to bear the nickname 'rape hill.' However, no rape has ever been reported as happening there, said Rick Moreno, the crime prevention officer for the University Police.
In the past five years, only two attacks have been reported as occurring on Maeser Hill, neither resulted in a rape, said Moreno.
Despite this, Kristen Payne, 19, a junior from Alpine, Utah, majoring in social work, said she heard the stories about Maeser Hill since she was eight years old.
'The stories have scared me off enough that I have stayed away,' she said.
Though the hill bears a false reputation, Moreno said people should still be very careful in that area.
According to police reports, the most recent attack occurred in June of 1998 when a female student was walking on the sidewalk by the pond. A male approached the female from behind and threw her into some bushes.
She attempted to scream, but the male grabbed her by the throat. Both individuals fell into the canal and the male assailant fled when he heard people approaching. Police were never able to locate a suspect.
RuthAnn Williams, a resident of Salem, Utah, graduated from BYU in home economics in 1987. She said she knew of the hill''s reputation.
On one occasion, Williams said she couldn''t avoid walking up the hill in the dark. She said she saw a man in a trench coat standing on top of the hill staring down at her.
Williams said half way up the hill she realized that he was still staring at her and she decided to go home.
'I started tearing down the hill, going down steps three at a time. I looked up and he was still standing there looking at me,' she said.
The BYU 198th Ward is one of many wards that have instigated a safe walk program for its members.
Brian Adair, 22, a junior from Burns, Oregon, majoring in zoology, participates in the program.
He said the ward owns a cell phone that is passed around each night to male ward members. He said business cards are passed out with the cell phone number on it. Ward members are able to call the cell phone when they need a ride to their home south of campus, he said.
Adair said nothing but good can come from the safe walk program.
'I think that from past experiences that have happened there (Maeser Hill), there is still a bit of a risk,' he said.
Most police reports include instances of people exposing themselves on the hill, Moreno said. Despite this, Moreno said the secluded nature of Maeser Hill generates the stories about its mistaken reputation.
'Lights have been installed. We''ve cleared out the vegetation from the walkways. This has given it a feeling of being safer,' he said.
Moreno said clearing the shrubbery has made the hill more visible from the street and the top of the hill.
Though precautions have been taken to make the hill safer, Moreno said it is important to be cautious.
'It is always better to walk with somebody else. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, go to a location where you will be safe and contact the police immediately,' he said.