After watching all of those Saw movies, let’s just say that I was more than a little apprehensive about living by myself in the good, old US of A.

I knew that I would be more than a little vulnerable and, I mean, who knows when a deranged psycho might creep up behind me and take me away, only to torture me in strange ways for the rest of my life? Admittedly, my fears were a bit exaggerated, but one has to be wary.

Now I know this may sound strange coming from somebody who lives in a nation that sadly has one of the highest crime rates in the world. But let’s just say, now was definitely not the time to let my guard down.

I must admit, though, that I was rather amazed at the way my fellow hallmates easily left their doors unlocked as they left in the morning. What was this madness?!

I, on the other hand, besieged by the tragic paranoia of my homeland, have locked my keys in my room at least four times now. It is embarrassing and costly as I had to pay the residential assistant $10 each time to open the door.

But it was amazing, really, to see how carefree my schoolmates are as they go strolling around the streets of the town at any time of the night. In fact, 2:00 am is a peak business hour for Philadelphia Pizza, the infamous neighbourhood pizzeria. Amazing!

I know, for a fact, that I could never think that it would be okay for me to just take a stroll out for pizza after midnight, even if I felt peckish. The campus police provide some security, but not enough for the near-recklessness that I see shown in and around campus.

The thing that has alarmed me most is the presence of the infamous Georgetown Cuddler. As legend has it, this strange man has been around for years and though there have been many police reports, no one has been able to catch him and so he continues to wreak his havoc around campus.

He is most known for sneaking into open apartments and townhouses on and nearby campus and creeping into the beds of unsuspecting, sleeping women. Rreports say that he doesn’t do anything except get under the covers and snuggle, at which time the women usually wake up, scream, but he always makes an escape.

Campus police claim that since the reports of the identity of the male suspect are so varied (he is said to be white, black, latino, Middle Eastern, you name it!) that they can’t pin down any one person, which I find to be rather distressing.

After hearing about his debauchery all through, out my first year and now my second year of college, I have to say that I am quite unsettled about the casual way in which this situation is dealt with.

Let’s look at some of the facts: This is a man. He is creeping into open apartments on campus and getting into bed with sleeping women! Anything could happen! As far as I am concerned, his name should not be the Cuddler. Quite frankly, that name is reminiscent of teddy bears and furry animals, when clearly that is not what we’re dealing with here! I think the name Predator may be more suitable.

All in all, without seeming like the paranoid freak of the bunch, all I can do is urge my friends to be aware of their surroundings and take all safety precautions.

Georgetown may be a quiet, peaceful town, but you can never be too sure about what can happen to you and it is always better to be safe than sorry.