Following a string of crimes at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa over the past week — including two break-ins and one assault — students are again asking for reassurance that their campus is safe.

"It is pretty scary when it keeps happening," said Samantha Wong, an 18-year-old dorm resident.

Wong said the recent break-ins have made her more aware of the need to lock her door and be conscious of her surroundings.

"Whenever we (she and her roommate) leave, even if it's to go to the bathroom for a few minutes, we make sure we lock the door," Wong said.

Concerns about safety at UH-Manoa flared up last Sunday when police said a man broke in to a Hale Aloha dorm room. Mark Andrew Heath, a 20-year-old soldier assigned to the Army's Stryker Brigade, has been charged with unauthorized entry into a dwelling and first-degree burglary.

The next day, Preston-Paul Afong, a 21-year-old Ma'ili man, was charged with fondling a student at the school's music building.

On Friday, a man broke into a dormitory and tried to use his cell phone to photograph a woman in the shower, police said. The woman reported the incident to campus security, saying she screamed and he ran. He was chased by other Hale Kahawai dorm residents, but escaped.

"We are in constant dialogue with our campus constituents in trying to make this campus safer," said Kathy Cutshaw, vice chancellor for administration. "It can always be safer. We are a safe campus, but we are always looking at ways to enhance that."

Cutshaw said campus officials are working on beefing up the security force of 36 campus guards. Included in a Board of Regents budget request is about $1 million for 25 additional positions, including guards and support staff, she said.

Part of that money also will be used for equipment, including radios and bicycles.

Meanwhile, officials say campus housing staff have been reviewing safety precautions with residents and student resident advisers. "Residents are being asked to lock their doors and watch for strangers. The RAs have been given refresher training on security," said Gregg Takayama, UH-Manoa spokes-man.

Other measures were also implemented following a break-in at the dorms in August, which involved an assault against a female freshman. In addition to increased security rounds at the residence halls, the university began staffing the check-in desks at the four Hale Aloha freshman towers 24 hours a day and issued alerts to urge students to keep their rooms locked.

Students and visitors to the Hale Aloha freshman towers, where many of this past semester's break-ins have taken place, are required to present identification upon entering the front door. The entrances, elevators and rooms of the building can only be accessed by residents with keys.

"Generally, we are concerned. But we know (the university) is trying and they are stepping things up," said Theresa Wee, president of the Parents and Friends of UH-Manoa.

She said her group hasn't fielded any e-mails or calls from concerned parents, but she has heard from parents of high school students.

"Parents who have kids in high school are saying to me that they don't want their kids to live in the dorms," Wee said.

Wee, whose son is a UH sophomore living in the Hale Laulima dormitory, said she tries to reassure parents that the dorms are safe.

"We as parents are concerned. But we are pleased that UH is taking these incidents seriously," she said.

Despite the recent crimes, overall crime at UH-Manoa has decreased 47 percent in the past three years, led by a 62 percent drop in burglaries.

Burglaries at UH-Manoa decreased from 77 in 2004 to 29 last year. Of the total, those occurring inside dorms decreased from 33 in 2004 to just 17 last year, according to data provided by UH to the federal government under the Cleary Act.

Total crimes, including forcible and nonforcible sexual assault, arson, robbery and aggravated assault, decreased from 96 offenses in 2004 to 46 last year.

No homicides or manslaughter incidents occurred any of those years.

Enacted in 1990, the Cleary Act is a federal mandate requiring colleges and universities across the country to disclose information about crime on and around campus. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.

Jayne Bopp, UH project coordinator for the federally funded Program Against Violence to Women, said recent events don't necessarily mean the campus is more dangerous. She said increased awareness just makes people more likely to report these types of crimes.

"When you look at the case where the guy grabbed the girl, that kind of stuff happens all the time on college campuses," Bopp said.

But most incidents normally go unreported, she said. The recent attention to security makes people more likely to come forward, she said.

"I don't think our campus is any less safe," she said.

Bopp also said that campus security is more vigilant than it had been in the past about sending out crime alerts each time an incident occurs. That also creates the false impression that more incidents are happening, she said.

Over the past two years, Cutshaw said the university has made significant changes to campus security. Security guards are now required to take the same training that officers for the state sheriff's department participate in, she said.

The university also added eight guards to its force this year.

In addition, the university's campus security has been working more cooperatively with the state sheriff's office and with the Honolulu Police Department. The university also provides an escort service for students walking back to their dorm room or to the parking structures.

Freshman dorm resident Chelsey Billiger, 18, said she would like to see more security guards on campus, however.

Billiger said she has to wake up earlier than most students so that she can get to her 7 a.m. class. "Sometimes it is a little scary when you're walking alone in the dark," she said. "I'd like to see more security around."

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.