Following Sunday’s string of assaults in LoRise and Monday’s robbery on College Row, Public Safety and the Middletown Police continue to cooperate to heighten campus safety.
At approximately 10 p.m. Monday evening, a female student was robbed in front of North College. According to Director of Public Safety Maryann Wiggin, an 18-year old non-University person grabbed her purse and ran without saying anything.
The student approached a Public Safety officer and a Middletown Police officer who were in the area in response to a burglar alarm at North College. The Public Safety officer pursued the suspect on foot while the police officer stayed with the victim.
After being alerted of the robbery, Lt. Joseph Fortier observed the suspect running down Williams Street. Fortier and other officers pursued the suspect and arrested him off-campus.
The suspect was arrested for robbery and trespassing, and was brought to court Tuesday on a $1500 bond. He was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
“The Public Safety people working that night did an excellent job, in conjunction with the Middletown Police office who was working and the Middletown Police Department,” Wiggin said. “It was a team effort.”
The Middletown Police officer was present on campus Monday because of Public Safety’s request for an increased police presence on campus. According to Wiggin, this presence will continue through the weekend, with a police officer stationed in the LoRise area and another officer patrolling campus on foot.
“There is a precedence for police work on campus,” Wiggin said, citing their efforts in assisting with commencement and other major events.
Wiggin also said that services for the escort and shuttle vans would be increased for the weekend, with an additional escort dispatcher and Public Safety cars available for escorts.
In an all-campus e-mail sent Tuesday, Interim Dean of the College Peter Patton described the Administration’s efforts for further safety, including increased patrols by ResLife student staff. Patton and Bennet also met with Middletown officials to discuss the events.
“We are all very concerned about these incidents as they undermine the safety and security of the campus,” Patton wrote. “We […] ask you to remain vigilant about ensuring your own personal safety as well as that of others in our community.”
Patton sent a similar e-mail to parents of students.
Residential Life sent an additional e-mail to all students with suggested safety precautions. Area Coordinator for High/LoRise Dawn Brown sent another e-mail to residents of the area.
“As always, please be cognizant of your surroundings, utilize appropriate safety measures and notify Public Safety immediately if [you] witness suspicious behavior,” Brown wrote.
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