Public Safety at Swarthmore

`Public Safety at Swarthmore`

A selection from the crime bulletins broadcast by the Swarthmore Minister of Public Safety, Owen Redgrave, concerning the bizarre and scary bubble-bursting incidents of agression perpetrated against Swarthmore College community members.

The are a couple of reasons why I am posting these on the web. These bulletins provide a glimpse of life at Swarthmore rarely found in brochures and press releases. They are of vital interest to alumni, current, and future students, all Swarthmore community members.

Each message is followed by this tag:

Anyone with information concerning this incident should contact the Department of Public Safety at (610)328-8281.
Owen Redgrave
Department of Public Safety
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA 19081-1397
e-mail: oredgra1@cc.swarthmore.edu

September 8, 1995

(SWARTHMORE BOROUGH INCIDENT)

On September 7, 1995 at approximately 11:15 p.m. a female Swarthmore College student was accosted while walking alone in the 700 block of Harvard Avenue. This is the area between Yale Avenue and Chester Road near the Strath Haven Condominiums.

The individual described below approached her from the front, placed a hand over her mouth and demanded she come along with him. She was able to break his hold and get away.

Suspect's Description: dark complexioned male, late teens or early twenties, thin build, long face, dark hair.

Clothing: all dark colored.

May 12, 1995

At approximately 10:53 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 1995, a female Swarthmore College student was walking west bound on College Ave. in the vicinity of the Scott building. A man approached from behind and struck her several times in the back of her head with his hand. The student was knocked to the ground. The actor fled and the victim ran to the West House to report the assault.
The area was searched by Public Safety Officers and Swarthmore Police with negative results.
Students should keep all outside doors properly locked, not propped open. Report suspicious persons, vehicles, and activity immediately by dialing x8333. Pay attention to your surroundings. Walk confidently and avoid secluded areas. Travel with another person whenever possible. Public Safety Officers will provide escorts to most locations around campus for students.
Suspect's description: Black male, short hair, no facial hair.
Clothing: Green jacket, dark pants, white sneakers.

February 10, 1995

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 1995, the fire alarm system in Parrish Hall detected a small fire in the basement area. Swarthmore Fire Department and six other companies responded immediately and extinguished the blaze. There were no injuries to residents or fire/rescue personnel. the building appears to have incurred only minor, non-structural damage. The cause is presently under investigation.

February 2, 1995

On Thursday, February 2, 1995 at approximately 3:15 a.m., a fire was discovered in Old Tarble. Swarthmore Fire Company extinguished the blaze before any serious damage was sustained to the building. There were no injuries. The origin of the fire is being investigated, but is currently considered to be suspicious.

`November 8, 1994`

Over the weekend of October 15 & 16, office doors in Papazian and Trotter were damaged in attempts to gain entry. Reported stolen was a fax machine and two portable radios.
On October 25, Plymouth Township (Montgomery County) Police received information that resulted in the arrest of members of a burglary ring who had struck 29 colleges and universities in six states. Various items belonging to Swarthmore College and its employees have been recovered. The Department of Public Safety is continuing its investigation and expects to file its own charges shortly.
In an unrelated incident, two women were arrested last evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Lamb Miller Fieldhouse. They were subsequently charged with a variety of offenses, most stemming from the use of a stolen credit card which was used at the King of Prussia Mall. At the time of the arrest, they were found wandering through the locker rooms of the facility.

October 4, 1994

At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 1994 a female Swarthmore College student walking her bike on Fieldhouse Lane near the railroad bridge was accosted by an individual who appeared to have come from the adjacent wooded area. The suspect attempted (verbally) to stop the student; failing to do so, he followed her a short distance before she rode off. A search for this individual was made by Public Safety Officers and Swarthmore Borough Police without producing a suspect.

Suspect's description: Black male, dark complexion, 5'9", medium build, 20-30 years old, side burns, wearing one earring.

Clothing: Black pants, dark blue or black hooded sweat shirt.

October 14 1993

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, 1993 a borough woman, walking along the pathway which leads from Crum Creek up to Dana and Hallowell, witnessed an indecent exposure. The actor, described below, was sitting in the lower branches of a tree at the time and called to her as she passed by. The man did not attempt to detain or pursue her. A search was made immediately after the incident was reported. It did not produce a suspect.

Anyone with information concerning this incident should contact the Department of Public Safety at 328-8281. Appropriate caution should be exercised, especially in the remote, less populated sections of the campus.

Actor's description: Caucasian male, approximately 18 yrs. old. Long hair
Clothing: Black sweats, white sneakers.

Howard University Security

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