U. employee victim of attempted rape; Incident occurred near center of campus

A University employee was the victim of an attempted rape on 36th Street near Locust Walk early Saturday morning, prompting University Police to increase patrols on campus during early-morning hours, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night. The victim was was walking on 36th Street between Locust and Spruce streets at 7:20 a.m. when she was grabbed from behind by a man she did not know, Kuprevich said. The man, who was unarmed, attempted to rape her, he said, but the woman managed to escape. A HUP security officer notified University Police and the Philadelphia Police Sex Crimes Division of the incident, Kuprevich said. Detectives from both units are conducting an investigation, the commissioner added. The woman is receiving counseling from Victim Support Services, Victim Support Services Director Ruth Wells said last night. Kuprevich said he did not know whether the victim intends to press charges. The commissioner said the victim described the assailant as a black male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, clean shaven, and in his early 30s. Because of the attempted rape, Kuprevich said, University Police will increase patrols on campus during early-morning hours. Kuprevich said yesterday that under normal circumstances, many police patrols stretch from Spruce to Chestnut streets. But under the revised schedule, the area of two foot patrols will be cut to concentrate more officers between Spruce and Walnut Streets. He added that vehicle patrols will be increased to maintain the usual level of coverage for the northern part of campus and some officers will work overtime to staff the revised patrol areas. Kuprevich cautioned that revised patrols are no guarantee against another incident occurring. "People have to realize that we could put 100 more officers on the street and that wouldn't guarantee that nothing will happen," Kuprevich said. Kuprevich said everyone on campus should be cautious, recommending that people walk in groups, take Escort Service or call police dispatch if they need to travel after dark and call University Police at special emergency phones if they feel uncomfortable.

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