With the start of the school year comes books, classes, new friends — and more crime on campus, according to officials.

Security on Campus Inc. (SOC) kicked off the fourth annual National Campus Safety Awareness Month this past week. The organization is a non-profit group whose goal is to help students avoid crimes on college campuses around the nation.

SOC tries to educate students about the frequency of crime on campus, along with the need to be aware and behave safely.

“We have sponsors who supply us with funds in order to create banners which we then send to participating schools,” said Program Director Alison Kiss.

September was chosen for National Campus Safety Awareness Month because campus crime is generally very prominent at this time of year.

“A lot of it may not be reported, to be honest,” said Lieutenant Madeline Bay of Binghamton’s New York State University Police.

With so many freshmen being on their own for the first time, it’s not surprising that there is an increase in campus crimes in September, she said.

“Students are fresh out of high school, fresh out of moms and dads,” Bay explained. “It’s their first experience with a new [type of] living and it puts them at risk.”

Both Bay and Kiss were quick to give examples and tips on how to stay safe on campus throughout the year. They recommended keeping an eye out when drinking and not overdoing it, as well as sticking with pals.

“Stay in groups,” Kiss said. “There’s something to be said about watching out for friends.”

They also advised students to lock the doors and not leave anything valuable lying around.

“I hate to say you can’t trust anyone, but in these situations, you can’t,” Bay said.

When asked about the national safety month, Bay acknowledged that, while it is a good idea, most people don’t know about it.

“We don’t do anything special because we are doing this all year,” Bay said.

The month first came into existence when a group of students from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay approached SOC about a national safety month. They came up with the idea after reading about deaths and missing students around the country.

Members of the residential halls have been in touch with UPD, setting up safety programs and self-defense classes in order to help students stay safe and keep themselves protected.

“Take responsibility for your actions,” Bay said. “Most people think they’re already safe just being on a college campus.”

Since the group’s establishment in 1987, SOC, which is one of the month’s co-runners, has helped pass six federal laws, including the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, which requires colleges to provide staff and students with crime statistics and security policies.