Two crimes involving Capital students created an uproar of safety concerns in the Bexley area early last week.
A female student claims that Wednesday, Aug. 28 around 12:20 a.m. a black male wearing no shirt, dark shorts and dark shoes approached her while at the fountains.
He requested her company to his vehicle, which she refused. He then reached to grab the student, who fled back to Lohman Complex.
A CapAlert was issued to the campus community shortly after police had been informed.
In an unrelated incidence, a building attendant at Capital saw a suspicious man walking toward Blackmore Library 10:25 a.m. Thursday, Aug 30.
“The man was seen peaking in windows of the library and you could tell he didn’t belong there,” Interim Director of Public Safety Frank Fernandez, said.
The attendant then called Campus Safety who arrived and determined that the man, Kurties R. Byrd, 43, was the suspect from the attempted abduction days earlier.
Officials then arrested Byrd and transported him to Franklin County Jail.
Byrd has been charged with criminal trespassing and, according to Fernandez, previously had a federal warrant out for his arrest.
Fernandez also gave another reason for Byrd’s presence, one that may change how students treat strangers around campus.
“He kept coming because people kept giving him money,” Fernandez said.
The man has been found to be a panhandler in the Bexley area, and upon questioning admitted to police to have been given money and cigarettes days prior to the attempted abduction at the fountains.
“In Bexley, it’s illegal to ask people for money. You can’t panhandle,” Public Safety Sergeant Scott Kunkle added.
A similar event occurred late evening Aug. 28.
According to the police report, Capital University student Ben D’Amico was walking up the driveway into the Village Creek apartments at the intersection of Sheridan Avenue and Charles Street.
Two black males approached D’Amico and one drew a silver and black pistol and demanded he give them everything he had on him.
After being physically assaulted, D’Amico handed over his cell phone and the assailants departed.
Unlike the attempted abduction on campus, the Bexley Police Department took the lead on this issue.
A CapAlert was also not sent out, although it has since been posted to the university safety bulletin.
This lack of communication concerned some students.
“I was expecting a CapAlert message on what happened to Ben. When it was the next morning and I didn’t have one, I started wondering why they hadn’t it. Shouldn’t students now about this stuff?” junior Conner Rockwell, said.
According to Director of Media Relations and Communications Nichole Johnson, this was a decision following university policy.
“A CapAlert requires immediate threat of health and safety to campus community,” Johnson said.
The Bexley Police Department did not inform the university officials of the incident until the morning after the incident.
“Because so much time had passed between the occurrence and capital’s awareness, in police judgment there was not an immediate threat to the health and safety of community,” Johnson said.
The safety of the community of Bexley has come into question from members of the Capital student body after the string of incidents.
“Bexley is well-known for being a nice place to live, and it is. But to the north, south, east, and west it’s surrounded by very different neighborhoods,” Fernandez said.
“People bleed through campus and James and Main, and we’re only two blocks from Livingston.”
“Spending the last 3 years learning about crime and society should have prepared me for this, but until you or someone you know has been a victim you don’t really think it can happen to you,” Senior and close friend of D’Amico, Dylan Helber, posted online following the incident Aug 29.
Due to these circumstances, officials say it is vital for students to make strides toward ensuring the safety of the community.
Public Safety recommends not to travel alone at night, and to immediately report any suspicious activity to proper authorities.
“Be on the lookout for anyone out of place. Students are able to tell when someone doesn’t belong,” Fernandez advised. “Even if you’re unsure, it’s best to let public safety handle the situation.”
It is also important to be aware of your surroundings and not hesitate to inform officials if you feel unsafe in any scenario.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to keep Bexley safe.”
jhouser@capital.edu
