News

Public Safety responds to a rowdy weekend

By Allison Rovner
News Editor

There was rarely a dull moment on campus for Public Safety this weekend, as the officers responded to an array of disturbing incidents.

On Friday, April 28 between 12 and 12:15 a.m., two rocks were thrown through two windshields of parked, unoccupied Public Safety vehicles. The vehicles were parked behind the Public
Safety office.

According to Director of Public Safety Maryann Wiggin, the rocks were thrown during the time interval when shifts are changed.

At 2:08 a.m. a third rock was thrown through the window of a third parked, unoccupied Public Safety cruiser.

At the time of the second incident, a witness heard a loud bang and reported seeing a male running from the area. The male is described as Caucasian, college-aged, in his early 20s, with dark hair of average-length and wearing a plaid jacket that was "checkerboard style."

Wiggin said that less than two hours before the vandalism, Public Safety had removed three kegs from a party on Church Street after finding alcohol violations. Wiggin said many of the students were upset that their party was shut down.

Wiggin said she hopes there is no connection between the vandalism and Public Safety removing kegs from a party.

"I’d hate to think this was done because Public Safety was only doing their jobs," Wiggin said. "The cars are one of the most valuable assets we have for doing our jobs."

Wiggin said the estimated cost of repair of the vehicles is $1200.

According to Wiggin, nothing like this has ever happened in the time that she has worked at the University. She said about four or five years ago, sugar was poured in the gas tank of
one Public Safety vehicle, but the suspect was apprehended.

Public Safety and the Middletown Police are currently investigating the incident.

On Friday, Apr. 28 at 1:55 a.m. Public Safety also dealt with an incident of indecent exposure.

A female student in the area of Home Avenue reported that a male was standing outside her back kitchen window masturbating.

The male was described as Caucasian, in his early 20’s, 5' 9", of medium build and having dark hair. He was reported wearing a navy blue Yankees baseball cap backwards, blue jeans and a dark-colored shirt.

Another victim in an incident involving masturbation which occurred on Apr. 9 reported the male as wearing a dark-colored baseball cap backwards.

Wiggin said she is not sure if it is the same person. She also said while the suspect could be a Wesleyan student, she is not sure if it is.

Two female students saw the male on Home Ave. Public Safety and Middletown Police responded and the incident is currently under investigation.

A third incident occurred on Sunday, Apr. 30 at 1:30 a.m. when a fight broke out at a party at Chi Psi.

Seven to eight males began to fight, and then approximately 30 other people became involved while trying to break up the fight.

One student was arrested on two counts of interfering with police officers and one count of breach of peace.

Another student was taken to the hospital after his arm went through a window during the incident.

Wiggin said at this point Public Safety is conducting a follow-up investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Captain Mike Kishimoto at extension 2805.

Wiggin said no updated information has been relayed to Public Safety on the previous indecent exposure or verbal harassment of a female student on Lawn Avenue which occurred two weeks ago. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents or the ones that occurred over the weekend is urged to contact Public Safety.