Massachusetts Campus Watch

The five University of Massachusetts Campuses have been working with the Mass Department of Housing & Community Development and the Massachusetts Crimewatch Commission to create Massachusetts Campus Watch. The Massachusetts Campus Watch was created specifically for Colleges & Universities to bring the Crimewatch Concept into the University setting.

Massachusetts Campus Watch is the central component of all campus crime prevention programs within the five University of Massachusetts institutions, and is designed to protect the campus environment by encouraging students, faculty, and staff to report suspicious and criminal activity. This statewide initiative deters criminals from campuses by advertising the communication network between campus members and the police.

Massachusetts Campus Watch is an awareness program aimed to promote the practice of preventing crime by teaching students, faculty, and staff how to protect themselves from becoming a crime victim.

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Berkeley police arrested 32-year-old Hercules resident Dimitar Popov in connection with a stabbing incident south of the UC Berkeley campus last week.

Five juveniles were arrested in connection with a Monday night armed robbery reported near the Kansas University campus, police said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Campus police issued a crime alert Monday after an attempted kidnapping and a robbery over the weekend.

T.J. was killed Oct. 5 in what police called an impromptu robbery at The District, which is in the 3600 block of South Kernan Boulevard near the University of North Florida. This year’s slaying was the first on the property since 2005, when the complex was under different management and called Melrose Student Suites.

Dec. 14 – Vehicle Burglary – Unknown suspect entered a vehicle at Joyce and University and took items. Report taken.

Dec. 15 – Bike Theft – Unknown suspect stole a bike that was locked to a tree outside of University Square Apartments, Building G. Report taken.

Dec. 16 – Bike Theft – Unknown suspect stole a bike that was locked to a rack between Chaffee Hall and Taco Bell Arena. Report taken.

Dec. 16 – Hit and Run – Unknown suspect struck a vehicle parked in the Taco Bell Arena parking lot and left without leaving contact information. Report taken.

Dec. 17 – Hit and Run – Unknown suspect struck a vehicle parked at 1915 University Drive and left without leaving contact information. Report taken.

Kathryn Russell said it happened in her on-campus apartment. For Megan Wright, the venue was a residence hall. According to a report funded by the Department of Justice, roughly one in five women who attend college will become the victim of a rape or an attempted rape by the time she graduates. But official data from the schools themselves doesn’t begin to reflect the scope of the problem. And student victims face a depressing litany of barriers that often either assure their silence or leave them feeling victimized a second time, according to a nine-month investigation by the Center for Public Integrity.

Fragments of a plastic bag that were found attached to the body of murdered University of Shimane student Miyako Hiraoka, 19, last month have been identified as those of a bag used by a telephone company, police said Tuesday.

On Dec. 17, at approximately 11:05 p.m., a robbery occurred on Scarritt Place across the street from Wesley Place Garage.  The two victims were walking to a vehicle parked on the street when the suspect who was carrying a silver handgun approached them.  The suspect ran toward 19th Ave. S.

Suspect Description:  Male, Black, Dreadlocks, wearing a dark colored hoodie or toboggan knit cap and dark pants.

Suspect Vehicle Description: Older model 4-door gray or tan colored vehicle.

  If you have information relating to these or similar incidents, please call  Vanderbilt University Police Department at (615) 322-2745. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME (742-7463).  

Here are some other tips offered by FindLaw.com on how to avoid becoming a victim of campus crime:

* Become familiar with the security system at your college or university. Find out how to report a crime (such as the location of emergency call boxes); where to get crime alerts; how to access community safety officers and escorts when going to and from buildings and parking lots on campus; and where to ask for specific security procedures for your dorm if you're living on campus.

* Use alcohol with caution. The use of alcohol can make a student more vulnerable to crime, and it can increase aggressiveness in other students. According to a study by Towson State University, half of all rapes on college campuses involve alcohol. In another study by the Harvard School of Public Health, 77 percent of students who live around a binge drinker will experience at least one secondhand effect of the drinking, such as assault or receiving a DUI. It's best to drink responsibly and in moderation. Avoid attending and especially leaving a college party alone. In addition, never accept a drink from a stranger and don't leave a drink unattended.

* Become familiar with areas immediately surrounding your college campus that may offer higher incidences of crime. Check with your campus security office about areas to avoid.

* Avoid posting too much personal information on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, which can be used by stalkers.

* Write your name in permanent ink on valuables such as books, laptops, stereos and TVs. Never include other personal information such as your address, social security number or birth date, which could be used by identity thieves.

* Don't walk alone at night, and stick to well-lit streets and areas. If you believe you're being followed, walk fast to an area where there are people or a security guard. Be aware of your surroundings at night and have your keys readily available. Avoid being one of the only or few students in a campus building by yourself. Use the security services provided by your university, such as a campus escort service.

* Many schools publish student phone numbers and e-mail addresses on a Web site. Under the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act, you can ask your college or university to remove your personal information.

* The overwhelming majority of rapes involve someone the victim knows. To many, it's known as date rape. Sexual abuse is never the victim's fault, but you can take steps to avoid it. Clearly communicate what you want and don't want. Set your limits before you go on a date. Use caution if you and your date are using alcohol. Let a friend or roommate know with whom you're going on a date, where you're going and when you think you'll be back.

* Park in well-lit areas that are close to foot traffic. Roll up your windows, lock the doors and never leave valuables in plain sight, including college textbooks. Use a college escort when returning to your car when it's dark.

* Prevent dorm room burglary and other crimes by always keeping your dorm room locked, even when you're in it. Never let a stranger into your dorm or campus apartment building. Don't prop open doors or windows to allow friends to get in or out after curfew hours. If you see a door or window into your dorm braced open for others to get in, close the door and make sure it's locked. Don't loan out your room key or fob to anyone, and don't put your name or address on your room key.

For more information about how to avoid campus crime, visit FindLaw.com.