Students Attacked Outside CFA Last Friday

The Argus has more information about last Friday's Public Safety report: two students, Claire Staples ’09 and Travis Fitzgerald ’09, were assaulted in an unprovoked attack by four people on Friday night, outside the Davison Art Center on High Street.

Following a gathering at her house on Court Street, Staples and Fitzgerald were traveling up Court Street towards a friend’s house when they noticed four youths loitering ahead. The youths began to follow them, at which point Staples and Fitzgerald crossed High Street and headed towards safety at the CFA, where they both have studios. Staples then tried to flag down a passing PSafe patrol car, but it failed to notice her attempts.

...Within seconds, Staples was severely hit multiples times in the face by one assailant. Fitzgerald, after chasing the attackers, sustained minor injuries to the face and back. No weapons were used in the assault, and theft does not seem to have been a motive. Following the attack, Fitzgerald called PSafe, and he and Staples, who was heavily bleeding, were taken to the hospital.

The effects of the assault have outlasted the incident itself. Staples, who bore the brunt of the attack, sustained an orbital blowout fracture below her left eye and received multiples stitches for cuts on her chin. Currently on Percocet to numb the pain, she is unable to attend classes or work on her senior thesis.

“I definitely thought that I was invincible,” Staples said. “Now I feel a little vulnerable. It all happened in like twenty seconds.”

This is pretty unnerving - by all accounts this kind of attack is rare, and Public Safety has stepped up security in the area since Friday. The case is being pursued with the Middletown Police Department, but the fact that it happened is another reminder to watch your back when you're out late.

The victims are admirably clear-headed about the incident:

The assault is particularly unsettling for Staples since it appears to be unprovoked and unmediated. Additionally, she feels that it was directed towards her not as an individual, but as a Wesleyan student.

“I was attacked because I was a Wes student,” Staples said. “It didn’t matter that it was me. It’s an isolated incident and yet it’s not an isolated incident. It was just a bunch of fucking punk ass kids.”

Staples, who has lived on the periphery of campus both during the summer and academic year, still considers Middletown a safe place to live. Both she and Fitzgerald do not fault the community for what happened or see this assault as an accurate depiction of relations between the University and greater community.

“It certainly hasn’t changed my opinion of Middletown,” Staples said. “I know that it’s not a good representation of Middletown. It’s still a great place to live.”

According to the Argus, Claire is planning to hold an art show of photos chronicling her injuries in March - kudos for making something positive out of this ordeal.

Argus: Two Students Attacked Outside CFA on Friday

P-Safe Alert: Attempted Mugging on Pearl

Not to strike excessive fear into the hearts of students living at the edges of campus, but there was an attempted mugging at gunpoint on Pearl Street last night. From this morning's P-Safe alert:

Public Safety would like to inform the community that on Friday 12/5/08 at approximately 1:00am a student was approached outside their residence on Pearl St by an individual who began asking the student questions about where they lived and what was in his pockets. The individual then attempted to strike the student and a scuffle ensued.

The subject got to his feet and pointed a handgun at the student and demanded they empty their pockets. A vehicle then approached the area and the subject fled. The student went to a friend's house and later called Middletown Police. The student did not receive any injuries.

It should go without saying - Wesleyan is physically not a bubble. Be vigilant, avoid walking alone at night if you can, and if you do, at least be aware of the possibility of danger.

Shooting at Major League Barbershop

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Helicopters have been circling LoRise and HiRise for the past twenty minutes. No specific details yet: students saw P-Safe telling children and their caretakers in Traverse Square to clear out for safety reasons, because there was just a shooting.

[edit I: 6:35 pm] The shooting took place at Major League Barbershop, at the intersection of Williams and Broad streets (map above). Eyewitness News says that:

"three or four black men wearing red and black entered the barbershop, shot the person, then fled. This isn't the first time this barbershop has seen gunfire. In 2005, 26-year-old Marcus Perry opened fire at the business."

Shit! And I have such fond memories of my nonviolent MLB head-shave freshman year.

[edit II: 7:06 pm] Looks like Wesleyan picked the right day to start testing the phone/text security alerts - I just got a text message, robo-call from Dean Mike, and email about the incident with the following info, as well as worried phone calls from three separate family members who assumed I was there and barely escaped with my life:

Middletown Police has notified Public Safety that a shooting occurred off campus on William St between Broad and Main streets at approximately 5:25pm today 10/1/08. 5-7 individuals fled the area and several possible subjects have been stopped. There are no Wesleyan community members believed to have been involved in this and Public Safety has deployed several officers in the area while Middletown Police continue their search for suspects.

Brrrr! Probably not the best day for Middletown bar night. Although from my ostensibly safe two-block distance from the MLB crime scene, I will say it is pretty funny that the alleged perpetrators were wearing Wesleyan colors. More details as they come.

[edit III: 9:51 pm] P-Safe update:

Middletown Police with the assistance of Public Safety and State Police helicopters have completed the search of the area for possible suspects in this incident and there is no imminent threat to the Wesleyan community. Middletown Police are continuing their investigation into the shooting of one individual and anyone with any information is asked to contact them at 860-344-3200.

Also, Middletown Eye says that the only damage was one man shot in the leg, who was taken to the hospital. So you can tell your parents that yeah, there was a gang shooting two blocks off campus, but at least nobody's dead.

Photo below from Ed McKeon, at the scene earlier today:

P-Safe, Freshman Class's New Best Friend

Public Safety has begun to implement its new Adopt-a-Dorm initiative this semester, in which one P-Safe officer will be assigned to each freshman dorm in an effort to "foster closer relationships between students and officers":

“It’s a program where we would interact with students on a friendly basis to help with crime prevention and fire safety, and be more involved to stay on a positive note,” said Public Safety Officer Thomas Harrington. “I consider myself approachable. This uniform is just something I wear to work.”

“The intentions of the program are not to catch students in the act of violating policy, but, like any University official, if [Public Safety officers] notice a policy violation, they are obligated to confront it,” wrote Associate Director of Residential Life Maureen Isleib in an e-mail. Hopefully, improved relationships will allow students to feel more willing to approach officers if they encounter a problem.

...The Adopt-A-Dorm program will also offer activities such as poster-making contests to get students involved in safety and crime prevention. Officer Harrington has already memorized the names of many residents and RAs in his designated building, Butterfield A.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Jessica Bowen ’11. “It takes away the idea of PSafe as an ‘other.’”

Oh, if only I had one P-Safe Friend to make posters with during my freshman year, instead of being repeatedly "othered" by various different officers when busted for egregious noise violations and other bad decisions.

Argus: Public safety program seeks to improve relations

P-Safe Alert: Townie Ruckus on Pine

Altercation! Gunshot! Hand injury! Overall, a P-Safe alert full of exciting buzzwords.

Public Safety would like to alert the community that on Sunday 9/7/08 at approximately 2:30 am Public Safety and Middletown Police responded to a reported disturbance on Pine St. Initial investigation revealed that a group of approximately 10 non-students attempted to enter a small party and when denied a physical altercation occurred. During the altercation a reported gun shot was heard and all individuals fled the area. There was no reported injury from the gunshot but one student was treated for a hand injury that occurred during the altercation.

This incident is under investigation by the Middletown Police and Wesleyan Public Safety. Anyone with any information is asked to call Middletown Police at 344-3200 or Public Safety at 685-2345.

Anyone care to share details?

Roth Issues Statement re: Fountain Ave

...And it's remarkably level-headed, concise, and fair to all parties involved in light of all the accounts of what took place.

Contrary to some student concerns that the administration would try and brush the incident under the table, it seems clear that Michael Roth understands the extent of student outrage and is doing his part in reacting appropriately:

I have now reviewed police and public safety accounts and dozens of student eyewitness reports of what occurred when Middletown police, supported by other local and state law enforcement, broke up a student gathering in the early morning hours of Friday, May 16. Although it is clear that a few students acted recklessly, and perhaps illegally, and while it is also clear that some students decided to remain in the area despite warnings to disperse, I am seriously concerned about what seems to me to be the disproportionate use of force in this incident. I have communicated my concern to Middletown’s Chief of Police. She has assured me that there will be a thorough investigation, and I will be following up with her and with Middletown’s Internal Affairs Officers to investigate the matter fully.

Students that night on Fountain Ave. were celebrating the end of the semester when they were ordered by Wesleyan Public Safety, and then the Middletown Police, to clear the street. From the evidence I have seen, there was no “riot,” as has been reported, nor was there any obvious public danger. However, it is clear that many students ignored requests to clear the street, and there are very disturbing reports of bottles or other projectiles thrown in the direction of police or their vehicles. We take this very seriously, and any students found in violation of the law or of Wesleyan rules will be held accountable for their actions.

It is apparent that some students decided to ignore the officers’ orders, but it is also clear that many, if not most, never heard the police demand that they leave the area. In any case, I am deeply troubled by what seems to have been an indiscriminate use of pepper spray and dogs to clear an area where students were peacefully gathered. Reports of unprofessional and violent behavior by some police officers are alarming. Again, I will be working with appropriate authorities to address these matters.

We are examining the policies and operations of Wesleyan’s Public Safety Department, and its relation to the Middletown Police Department. We value our positive relationship with Middletown and with the MPD, and we are grateful for the assistance the department provides our community on a regular basis. But let me be clear: we will not tolerate abusive behavior by the police any more than we will tolerate it by our own students.

I deeply regret that these events took place at what should have been a joyous end to the semester. Our goal will be to ensure that these kinds of incidents do not occur in the future, and I have already begun working with Middletown and campus leaders to address our mutual concerns and interests.

Read the whole thing at its source, or leave some non-anonymous feedback, at the Roth Blog.

Today @ lunch: Student Response to Sean Bell verdict

For those of you who haven't heard, there has been tremendous controversy surrounding the recent acquittal of the three cops involved in the death of Sean Bell, an innocent black man who was to be married the next day - read the NYTimes summary of the events to get caught up. The incident has been labeled an act of police brutality and an act of racism by many activists.

Stephanie Quainoo '10 sends us some info about a Wesleyan student reaction, to take place tomorrow during lunchtime:

On Monday, May 5, 2008 at 12 pm we will be taking a course of action in response to the Sean Bell verdict, its public reception, and its relation to past racist events that have occurred on campus with Public Safety, Middletown Police, the Ride, and the student body. This event will occur at Usdan and we encourage everyone to participate! We need people to help put up fliers, hand out info cards and most importantly, filling up the main staircase to the Marketplace at noon! After our protest at Usdan, we will be marching to the Public Safety office to bring attention to our demands. Your physical presence is paramount to our success, so if you are interested, please wear all black and join us tomorrow!

If you have any questions, join the facebook group here (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17019604531) and message one of the admins.

What: Student reaction to the acquittal of the cops who killed Sean Bell
When: Monday (TODAY) at noon
Where: Usdan