With the arrest of a trespasser on campus a few days before Easter break, it is important to keep the security of campus in mind as the weather gets warmer. While some individuals have reported unusual activity in or around campus buildings and residence halls, many instances are often left unreported.
“A large African American man in a black sweat suit cornered me in College Avenue two years ago,” Elizabeth Delfing, senior, said. “He demanded I give him money, and I told him I was carrying absolutely nothing on me and I couldn’t give him anything. After asking a few more times he got frustrated, yelled at me, and left the building. I immediately called Public Safety, but the man was not found.”
Trespassers are not often so obvious. The recent trespasser in College Avenue probably gained access to the residence hall through a propped-open door, or trailed in after a student. According to Public Safety’s Sergeant Frank Fernandez, the issue of propping and holding doors leads to almost all thefts and breeches in security on campus.
“Students are polite. They hold doors for each other. It’s just natural,” Sgt. Fernandez said. “Sometimes the trespassers look like students, and they can slip through the cracks. But most of the time, these people look out of place.”
Sgt. Fernandez instructs students to report all suspicious persons, even if they aren’t sure if the person is a problem.
“Students refrain from calling because they ask: “What if I’m wrong? What if that person is a student?” Sgt. Fernandez said. “This is like home for students. Students wouldn’t leave their front door unlocked, or their keys in the car.”
Sgt. Fernandez believes that with the help of students, faculty and staff, these security breeches can be minimized. He says to look out for people who are wandering – and don’t stereotype based on race or gender.
“We have a least one case right now that involves a female trespasser,” Sgt. Fernandez said.
For now, the Department of Public Safety is maintaining campus security through new cameras and electronic door alarms.
“Not every door has a camera or alarm,” Sgt. Fernandez said. “We still need students to make those calls – they have the right to ask what people are doing.”
These incidents aren’t isolated to residence halls, either. Delfing shares another story that student organizations should be aware of.
“Another student and I were working a bake sale for the Life Sciences Organization in Battelle, and a man walked up to our table. He was older, scruffy looking. I assumed he was homeless. At first, he didn’t do anything but ask us about our bake sale. He left, but returned shortly to ask us how much money was in our cash box and what we were going to do with it. He then pulled three disposable razors out of his pocket and just stood there, watching us. We immediately called Public Safety – he actually just wanted to use the bathroom to shave! I felt bad for him because I don’t think he meant us any harm, but unfortunately, I can’t give anyone the benefit of the doubt in this world.”
Sgt. Fernandez encourages students to act as Delfing did, placing an importance on making that phone call to public safety.
“We will always respond. We would rather be safe than sorry – if it’s nothing, fine. But if that person has a warrant, you just helped protect the safety of people on campus,” Sgt. Fernandez said.
Finally, Sgt. Fernandez encourages staff, students and faculty to think outside the box.
“Don’t leave ground floor windows open,” Sgt. Fernandez said. “Trespassers find creative ways to get inside.”
For more information on campus safety and how to be actively involved, the Department of Public Safety is open daily and can be reached 24 hours a day by calling (614) – 236 – 6666.
