In an effort to escape the Guilford bubble, my friends and I ventured downtown to experience life outside of Guilford’s walls. I soon found out that those who frequent the downtown club scene run the risk of having their bubbles burst with a bullet.

My weekly Inferno and Club Green Street ritual has almost turned into a game of Russian roulette due to a recent spree of violence inside and in front of downtown nightclubs.

On Oct. 28, four people were shot on the corner of South Elm Street and February One Place following an argument in the N Club, according to the News and Record. Quinton Campbell, 22, who was shot by a Greensboro police officer that night, is accused of involvement in the shooting. All of the shooting victims survived.

On Oct. 29, police arrested 23-year-old Scott Busenlehner after officers said he threatened a group of people with a handgun outside the Greene Street Club.

On Nov. 7, an argument inside LAX Gentleman’s Club led to a shooting in the parking lot after two patrons were escorted out of the club. Leroy Copney, Jr., 37, was charged in that case.

On Nov. 28, Lacqueon Gregory, 18, was shot and killed outside Club Plush on High Point Road in an apparent drive-by. Police believe Gregory was an innocent bystander and not the intended target. The case remains unsolved.

These violent incidents make me question the safety of my surroundings at Guilford.

With downtown being approximately five miles away from campus, it would be just as easy for outsiders to pop into the Guilford bubble as it is for students to leave. With Guilford being such a small school, word seems to get around fast; however, not once have I seen a poster or sign displayed on campus to inform students about the concern of the night club violence.

Students should be aware that the bubble is just a metaphor and that Guilford can easily be exposed to the potential danger from the outside walls. More information posted around campus will help students become better informed and more aware of the real world dangers that occur outside of their bubbles.

The News and Record also reported that the downtown shootings led the City Council to consider several measures to improve safety in the area, including newly passed ordinances on loitering and an 11 p.m. curfew for teens under 18.

My concern is that minors are not the origin of the problem, because if a person is under 18 they are not allowed in the club. It is the of-age crowd that is causing the problems. I believe that the City Council should focus on more solutions that concentrate on preventing violence that is provoked by the older crowd.

It is simple to step outside of the Guilford bubble and forget that there are real dangers and potential crime. It is important to be aware of our surroundings and know that the Guilford bubble can only extend so far until we reach the doorways of the real world and burst the bubble.