The San Diego Police Department is investigating two reports of assault from San Diego State University students.

In both incidents, students said they got into vehicles in the College Area that they believed to be the ride shares they had ordered. The driver allegedly assaulted them and let them out of the car elsewhere.

The first incident was reported on Sept. 6, but occurred on Aug. 19. The second was on Aug. 27 and reported the same day. While similar circumstances surround the cases, there has been no definitive link made between them.

The incidents were reported to have occurred just days before the new “Red & Black Safe Ride” program was launched by the SDSU Police Department (UPD).

The program, which began Aug. 30, includes a shuttle rotation that will run on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. around the university’s campus, stopping at academic buildings, parking lots and dorm buildings. Then, from 10 p.m. to midnight, on-demand rides will be available from one designated pick-up location to another.

“In support of academic and student success, the goal of the newly launched Red & Black Safe Ride program (pictured above) is to offer students, faculty and staff a free, quick, and safe transportation method,” said the UPD.

The program is operated by UPD’s student community service officers, who are civilian, non-sworn in UPD employees.

While students said the program was a “good thing” for campus that the school would “benefit from,” many also expressed that changes should be made to its operation in light of the reported assaults.

“With all that’s been happening with those awful incidents with students and fake ride-shares, extending (the Safe Ride program) to 2-4 a.m. on weekends would be a safer bet,” said Ryan Kehl, an SDSU senior.

“It would be useful if student shuttles ran later,” agreed Renee Roldan, an SDSU student. “I know some of my friends who live near campus have to (take a) ride share to their housing because their shuttle service ends early and it’s too dangerous to walk with no lights or sidewalks.”

Students also said the shuttle and on-demand routes should be expanded, covering a greater area surrounding the campus.

“To my knowledge, the shuttles only stop on campus and at campus housing,” said Gwenyth Hoebing, an SDSU junior. “I live right outside those boundaries. If they did offer this service with stops within a 2-mile radius of the school, I think it would be a lot more useful.”

“It would be more relevant (to me) personally if the services were available for areas slightly outside the campus in the college area,” noted Olivia Barnard, an SDSU student. “Then I wouldn’t have to rely on ride share as heavily when I come back from work in the El Cajon area.”

Others felt that the program needed to be better promoted to provide students with alternatives to using ride shares.

“The university has an app called SDSU Safe that has safe rides through the Red & Black Shuttle, but I think they need to make it more accessible and known,” said Isabella Dallas, an SDSU student. “Many students don’t realize this is an option or don’t think it’s as convenient or practical as a ride share app.”

If students do choose to use a ride share service, the university police sent out several safety tips for consideration when doing so. They advise users to confirm their ride’s vehicle type and license plate before entering and sitting in the back seat during their ride for an easier exit route.

The university also recommends students notify friends or family when they take a ride share. One way to do this is through the SDSU Safe app, which allows students to share their location in real time.

Students also said they take ride shares in groups, which they recommend others do as well.

“I like to think it’s a strength in numbers tactic,” added Dallas.

Victims of sexual violence are encouraged to seek support through SDSU’s Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention webpage.

Photo credit: Natali Gonzalez