Crimes plague campus

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by Brooke Wooten

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The Campus Police Department is currenly investigating a series of incidents involving breaches of security on campus.

Several female students recently received harassing telephone calls from a man claiming to be a representative of Cosmopolitan magazine. In another incident, a man was apprehended by the Campus Police.

The caller, identifying himself with Cosmopolitan , usually offers an opportunity to pose for pictures and then ends the call with an explicit and descriptive sex survey.

According to Campus Police Chief Mary Voswinkel, the caller does not repeatedly call the same rooms, making chances for his apprehension slim. Students are advised to avoid such callers and to refuse to participate in any surveys.

"If you don't know who it is, do not get into lengthy conversations with them. ... Most businesses do not do business that way," Voswinkel said.

On Feb. 21, in Baker College, a man who had entered the living quarters of a student while allegedly trying to sell magazines was apprehended. Another student, thinking his actions were suspicious, alerted Campus Police, who took the man in for questioning.

After a criminal record check, police discovered that he had an extensive record of past criminal activity, including armed robbery and hard drug involvement.

The man insisted that he was a legitimate magazine salesperson. Students have expressed their concerns about these breaches of security.

"The fact that someone can just walk off the streets into your room is possible. I think it's a definite sign that someone can come into your college and harass you. It's really frightening when you stop and think about it," Baker College freshman Rachel Tuuri said.

Will Rice College sophomore Betsey Chambers said awareness needs to be increased.

"The only thing that can really be done is to make people more aware," Chambers said.

Voswinkel considers the occurrence to be a definite breach of security. This also applies to salespeople of any kind, including delivery men.

"Sales should be set up in common areas of the colleges. Someone had to let him in. ... I don't even recommend that you buy magazines door-to-door," Voswinkel said.

"Everyone needs to be careful about who they let into their living areas."

This item appeared in the News section of the March 1, 1996 issue.

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