UMass Dartmouth Department Of Public Safety Public Safety Advisory – UPDATE CASE # - 12-503-OF April 27, 2012
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of incident reported to the UMass Dartmouth Police Department.
***** This is an update of an earlier advisory sent early Thursday morning.
Campus police are continuing to investigate an altercation that occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 25 in a room and outside Chestnut Hall that resulted in one student being taken to he hospital. He was treated and released. There were reports of one or two handguns seen during the events.
A search of several residence hall rooms and numerous interviews were conducted throughout Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning, but no weapons were found. There were no additional sightings of any individual with a weapon on campus and no reports of a gun being fired. Evidence suggests that the altercation was not random and that some of the persons involved are known to each other.
As of Thursday afternoon, four students have been arrested and charged in connection with the altercation. Charges include obstructing a police investigation, possession of a firearm, and possession of marijuana. These students have been suspended from the University, pending a disciplinary hearing.
The investigation is ongoing with the safety of our community as the primary goal. State law (MGL Chapter 269, Section 10J) prohibits the possession of any firearm on this campus.
Anybody with information about this incident or the presence of any firearm on campus should call 508-999-9191, use the silent witness line at 508-999-8477 or fill out the confidential form at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/silentwitnesstipline/
UMass Dartmouth Department Of Public Safety
Crime Advisory
April 26, 2012 - 12-503OF
In accordance to the federal Clery Discl sure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of incident reported to the UMass Dartmouth Police Department.
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT
At approximately 4:50 p.m., a student reported to the campus health center and indicated that he had been injured during an altercation behind the first-year residence halls. During the ensuing investigation, police learned that one or two handguns may have been present at the altercation. A search of several residence hall rooms was conducted, but no guns have been found. The injured student was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening facial and hand injuries and was being treated this evening. Police are ontinuing to investigate the incident.
Anybody with information about this incident or the presence of any firearm on campus should call the silent witness line at 508-999-8477 or fill out the confidential form at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/silentwitnesstipline/
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Crime Advisory
April 13, 2012- Reference 12-424-OF and 12-412-OF
Public Safety Advisory - Chestnut Hall fire alarms
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of two incide ts involving the burning and tampering of fire detection equipment.
In recent days, there have been two incidents involving tampering with fire detection equipment at Chestnut Hall. On April 11 at approximately 3:20 a.m., university police and Dartmouth firefighters responded to Chestnut Hall where a smoke detector had been activated by paper being burned under the detector. On April 13 at approximately 1:30 a.m., police and firefighters responded to Chestnut Hall where a smoke detector was activated, apparently by direct contact with a burning material such as a match or lighter.
There was no significant property damage or injury as a result of either incident.
Both incidents are being actively investigated.by the Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with Dartmouth Fire Department
In response to these incidents, Housing and Residential Life has suspended guest privileges at Chestnut Hall until further notice.
The seriousness of tampering or destroying fire detection equipment, especially within a residence hall, cannot be understated and will not be tolerated. The Department of Public Safety is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of person(s) responsible.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or use our Silent Witness site http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm or https://my.umassd.edu/ under the Public Safety tab.
State Fire Marshal Arson Hot Line -- 800- 682-9229
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Public Safety Advisory
December 9, 2011
Arson-Reference 11-1258OF, 11-1268OF, 11-1272OF
In accordance with the Federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of three incidents of arson discovered over the past several days.
On 12/7/2011 within Chestnut Hall on the first floor, three separate locations revealed burned paper items on two doorways and a bulletin board. Initial investigation revealed the fires were deliberate. The building fire/alarm sprinkler system was not activated.
On 12/8/2011 within Maple Ridge Hall, in House Seven on the first floor, a poster hanging in a stairwell was burned. Initial investigation revealed the fire was deliberate. The building fire alarm/sprinker system was not activated.
Today at about 12:59 p.m., a toilet paper dispenser in the men's restroom on the first floor of Liberal Arts was set on fire. Initial investigation revealed the fire was deliberate. The building fire alarm/sprinkler system was not activiated.
The Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with Dartmouth Fire Department. The seriousness of arson, especially within a residence hall, cannot be understated and will not be tolerated. The Department of Public Safety is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of person(s) responsible. any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477. Please use the Silent Witness site or the State Fire Marshal Arson Hot Line at 1.800.682.9229.
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Public Safety Advisory
October 25, 2011
Robbery-Reference 11-1026OF
In accordance with the Federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of an incident that occurred this evening on Ring Road, North of the Dart Van stop, near the fitness center.
A female resident student reported that as she walked along Ring road, a white male approached her from behind and forcibly took the wallet she held in her left hand. The victim described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, of medium build with light reddish or blonde hair, wearing a black or navy blue sweatshirt with matching pants and dark shoes. The male suspect was last seen running north on Ring Road, near the power plant where the victim lost sight of him. No further description is available. The woman did not report any injuries.
Due to the seriousness of the crime, DPS is asking for any information about these acts to contact DPS by telephone at X9191 or X8477. Please use the Silent Witness site as well.
Students are reminded that there is safety in numbers and to use campus transportation whenever possible or call DPS at X8107 for an escort.
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Public Safety Notification
October 25, 2011
The Department of Public Safety has learned that several rooms in the Liberal Arts Building were illegally entered over this past weekend. Access was effected by person(s) by climbing upon the roof and entering offices through open and unlocked windows. At least one laptop computer was taken. It appears that valuable items left in plain sight are being targeted.
DPS is asking for your assistance in addressing this problem. You can help by making sure that you close and lock windows and doors when leaving your office, even for a short time, but especially at the end of each day. We also recommend that all valuables be placed into a secured location such as desks, cabinets, or closets and locked. For additioinal safety during the day, please consider the purchase and use of laptop security cables that may be tethered to large objects.
Please contact Officer Steve Mello for additional tips or advice on how to properly secure your valuables.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
October 16, 2011
Arson - Reference 11-962OF
In accordance to the Federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of an incident that occurred at about 3:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2011 near Apartment 108 of Roberts Hall.
A student reported to police that as he was walking through the apartment hallway, he smelled something burning and noted that a person he describes as a black male, wearing a blue sweatshirt, was observed clicking a lighter. The student then noted that paper tags on two doors were burned and scorch marks left inthe paint. No further description of this person is available.
It should be noted that the fire door leading to the courtyard was found propped open. While unclear if the propped door is related to this incident, proppd doors constitute a serious breach of safety to everyone. Do not prop doors. Report damage when it is observed.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or use our Silent Witness site.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
September 30, 2011
Laptop Thefts
In accordance to the federal Clery disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of several laptop thefts that took place in the Liberal Arts building and an attempted theft from CVPA reported over the past several weeks.
On 9/14/2011 at about 12:45pm, A MacBook laptop was taken from a faculty office on the third floor of the Liberal Arts building. No Suspect was observed.
On 9/26/2011 at about 12:55pm, a white male described as 5'10" tall, with brown hair and close cut beard was interrupted as he attempted to take a laptop from a faculty office in CVPA. When confronted by the owner of the laptop, the suspect dropped the laptop and fled toward the freshmen housing area.
Today, at about 1:00pm, another unsecured office was entered and a similar MacBook laptop was also taken. There was no suspect identified. In all instances, faculty stated they left the room momentarily unsecured.
DPS would like to remind all community members that valuables should not be left unsecured and doors should always be locked. We also recommend that cable devices tethering laptops to large objects be used and these will also serve to discourage thefts. Lastly, we recommend the installation of locating software that will assist in the recovery of stolen items.
Please visit our website at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety more safety tips.
The Department of Public Safety is investigating these incidents and is asking for support from our community. Any person who might have information concerning these incidents should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 (tip line). You can also use the Silent Witness site at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
September 18, 2011
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
11-807OF
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of an incident that occurred at about 3:26Am today in the area of Cedar Dell South Apartments Building 3.
Five students reported to DPS that they were confronted by a group of 6-7 males while while they were gathered outside of their apartment. Two of the assailants produced weapons, one with a knife and one with brass knuckles and began to threaten the students. The occupants retreated into their apartment for their safety but one student was punched on the arm before he was able to close and lock the door. Fortunately, the injuries were not serious and the student declined treatment.
The assailants then fled in a northerly direction on Cedar Dell Road. Responding police officers stopped several groups of students, however, the assailants were not identified among them. The victims describe the assailants as follows:
- The suspect with the knife is described as a white male, approximately 6'1", slim build, bushy brown hair, wearing a white cut off skirt, dark jeans, a white t-shirt tucked in the waistband and a blue fitted baseball cap.
- The suspect with the brass knuckles is described as a white male, approximately 5'8" to 5'10", slim build, earing a dark hooded sweatshirt and the hood tied tightly around his face and wearing dark jeans.
The knife and brass knuckles were later recovered near the apartment.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or use our silent witness site http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm
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Public Safety Advisory
September 9, 2011
11-728OF
Attempted Entry into Residential Hall Rooms
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of several incidents that occurred at Chestnut Hall over the past several days.
The University police department responded to Chestnut Hall on 9/8/2011 at about 9:00pm to investigate a report of several males posing as resident assistants and then as resident directors in an apparent fraudulent effort to gain entry into a female student's room. These persons repeatedly jostled the door, demanding tha tthe occupant allow them entry. The female student wiesely did not allow these persons entry. The complainant could not provide a detailed description of the suspects other than that the suspect was a male. DPS has subsequently learned that similar incidents might have occurred over the past few days.
Students should discuss with Housing staff the proper protocol for RA/RD entry into a room. Students are advised to call DPS at 508.999.9191 or X9191 if there is any question as to the legitmacy of an attempted entry before allowing anyone to enter their room.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.8107 or 508.999.8477. Please use the Silent Witness site if you would prefer.
