Berquam: Pay attention to safety

As the semester draws to a close, interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam is urging all students to pay heightened attention to their own personal safety.

In the past two weeks, two sexual assaults have taken place on or near campus. The first happened on Nov. 29 in the 1500 block of Observatory Dr., with the second occurring in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 9 in the 500 block of N. Carroll St.

In both cases, victims were threatened with physical harm by the attacker, forced into a vehicle, transported to an unknown location, sexually assaulted and then returned to the downtown area.

“I’m personally shocked and saddened by these recent events,” says Berquam. “The end of the semester is a busy, stressful time, but we need people to watch out for each other and use the safety resources that are available on campus. Likewise, if you have any information about these attacks, don’t hesitate to call police.”

Both the UW–Madison and Madison Police Departments believe the assaults are related and are working together to solve them, says Sgt. Michael Newton of University Police.

Police describe the suspect as a black male, 5’7″ to 5’11”, in his mid 20s, with a chunky build, thin mustache, shaved head, in possession of a dark colored puffy coat with a hood and smelled of cigarette and marijuana smoke.

UW–Madison has engaged in a semester-long effort to raise student awareness around safety issues through mass e-mail, awareness messages from faculty, stories in campus publications and visits to residence halls by Berquam and campus and Madison police.

Both Madison and campus police are stepping up vigilance of the downtown area and Berquam is urging all students, regardless of where they live to take the following steps:

– Carry a cell phone and dial 911 for help.

– Walk with a friend whenever possible.

– Take advantage of SAFEwalk and SAFEride programs available on campus. For more, call (608) 262-5000.

– Use public walkways and avoid isolated shortcuts, where you have limited escape routes.

– If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation to avoid being in a position of increased risk.

– Report any crime or suspicion of a crime immediately, starting with your location. If police are contacted within the first five minutes, they have a better chance of finding a suspect.

– Keep your head up, do not look down or away and make brief eye contact with all people you meet.

– Be aware of places along your path of travel that could conceal a criminal (shrubbery, building recesses, etc). Avoid or keep a distance from these areas whenever possible.

– Make sure someone knows when you leave and when to expect you back.

– If you think someone is following you, cross the street. Head for a well-populated and well-lit area at night.

– Wear clothing that will allow you maximum mobility if it is necessary to run. Be prepared to drop your valuables (heavy books, packages, etc.), because these can slow you down.

– Take a self-defense course like Chimera. For further information, call (608) 251-5126.

– Carry a whistle or personal panic alarm with you.

– Make use of the weekend Greek Neighborhood Watch program on Langdon St.

If you have information, call UWPD at (608) 264-COPS or Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward and can remain anonymous.