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(03/27/95 10:00am)
U. students questioned by police after allegedly threatening Jewish students Two Jewish students were threatened at shotgun-point by two other University students after the student gunmen taunted them with ethnic slurs early Friday morning, Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush said. And although police questioned the two suspects, so far, no charges have been brought against them. According to University Police records, the incident, which began near 39th and Pine streets, is being labeled an "ethnic intimidation" case by investigators. Rush said the incident -- in which one student allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at another -- began with an "exchange of words" when two Jewish students on their way home walked past the residence of the other two students. Rush said that during the confrontation, the two Jewish students, whose names have not been released, were called "Jew-boys" by the other two students who were sitting on the front steps of their residence on Pine Street. After the verbal exchange became heated, Rush said one student went inside his house, returned with a shotgun and pointed it at the Jewish students. She added that the Jewish students fled for safety and called University Police with a description of the other two students, who left the area in a car. University Police brought two suspects into custody after locating them in a car in front of the Wawa Food Market at 38th and Spruce streets. Two shotguns along with a large quantity of ammunition were discovered in the students' vehicle, Rush said. The two suspects were taken to Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives and questioned, but not charged. Philadelphia Police Captain Tom Quinn, commander of Southwest Detectives, will begin investigating the incident today, Rush said. In addition, Rush said there will be an internal University investigation. This is the second case involving allegations of ethnic intimidation in as many days. On Thursday morning, two University students claimed four Drexel University students and one other man yelled ethnic slurs at them. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she is outraged over last week's incidents, calling on the community to begin changing attitudes. She said that even though there are a number of laws to protect people against discrimination, it is still up to individuals to create "high standard for civility." McCoullum urged the community to continue to protest against racially motivated crimes and also to help the victims of these incidents. "We need to reach out to each other to comfort people who've been victimized," she said. "The impact on individual students has been horrendous. People don't know how harmful these incidents are."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
Issue second warrant A Drexel University student turned himself in Friday afternoon -- and another suspect remains at large -- after being charged with the ethnic intimidation of two South Asian University students. Gregory Rosenbaum, a Drexel University student, is charged with ethnic intimidation, harassment, conspiracy, disorderly conduct and open lewdness, Philadelphia Police Sergeant Charles McMullin said. Another suspect charged in the incident on Friday, Victor Vencus, had yet to turn himself in as of Sunday night, according to McMullin. Philadelphia Police Sergeant Joe Descher said that he had expected Vencus to turn himself in on Friday. No warrants have been issued for the other three men who were involved in the incident. Hamilton Court residents College senior Bela Shah and Wharton senior Monika Parikh have accused the five men -- four of whom are Drexel students -- of repeatedly shouting racial slurs at them after the group left Cavanaugh's Restaurant at 39th and Sansom streets Thursday morning at about 2 a.m. Shah and Parikh, who are South Asian, said they were called "dotheads" and "Indian bitches," and told to "go back to [their] country." In addition, Shah said the case has been "mishandled" by police and she is planning to file a complaint against Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives. According to Shah, four University Police officers and one Philadelphia Police officer responded to the scene, two of whom attempted to dismiss the case. University Police Officer Rudy Palmer, however, insisted on pursing the suspects. Of the five suspects, only Rosenbaum and Vencus were taken into custody by police, but were later released when no charges were filed, Shah said. She added that Southwest Detectives did not interview Parikh, Palmer or her while the suspects were in custody. Director of Victim Support and Special Services Maureen Rush met with Parikh and Shah later Thursday. After hearing their account of the incident, Rush said she called Southwest Detectives, which reopened the case later that day. Parikh and Shah's statements were then taken by Southwest Detectives on Thursday at about 4:30 p.m., over 14 hours after the incident occurred, Shah said. "We think that officer Rudy Palmer of Penn Police handled [the situation] well," Shah added. "We do not think that Philadelphia Police and Southwest Detectives handled it well."
(03/23/95 10:00am)
Over 200 people processed in almost complete silence down Locust Walk to College Green last night, gathering to remember College junior and Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother Justin Koppel. "It's not the candles that matter," one person said, as gusts of wind struck down many of the small flames. Assembling on the terrace steps in front of the Peace Symbol shortly after 8:30 p.m., SAE President and College junior Joe Ayoob called the hour-long vigil a "great testament to Justin." Koppel was killed in a head-on car collision over Spring Break, when the car he was driving was struck by another vehicle in the Florida Keys. The incident claimed a total of three lives. For the several speakers at the Peace Symbol, the vigil was a way to begin dealing with the tragic accident and the sudden loss of a friend. "This is just wrong," College senior and SAE brother Joshua Blatt said. "He was 20 years old. He should have lived longer. He should still be here. "It's really hard to make sense of the whole thing -- it's a random, senseless event, and we all suffer with the loss," said Jonathan Foster, who is Koppel's cousin and a Wharton graduate student. "As people say, we have to continue on with our lives and think about what he gave to us," he added. "It's the only good thing I can see that came from the whole tragedy." Although much of evening was filled with sadness, Jordan Foster retold several humorous anecdotes from Koppel's youth. In one story, Jordan Foster, a University alumnus and Koppel's cousin, recalled the time he had to teach an 11-year-old Koppel all about "girls." But in the end, even Foster said he had trouble believing his cousin was gone, adding he expected Koppel to come "out of the bushes in any moment" and say "just kidding." "I haven't cried yet because Justin was bigger than life," he said. "Frankly it seems like a dream -- a really bad dream." A memorial service for Koppel will be held on April 13 in Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall at 6 p.m. Sylvia and Richard Koppel, Justin Koppel's parents, are scheduled to attend.
(03/20/95 10:00am)
Five men were arrested after repeatedly swerving their car into another vehicle containing two off-duty University Police officers at 32nd and Spruce streets Thursday night, according to University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes. She said a yellow and brown Chrysler LeBaron containing five men attempted to force the officers into oncoming traffic in the incident at about 10:30 p.m. Because of evasive actions taken by the driving officer, however, the Chrysler never collided with the officers' car. The two off-duty officers then managed to stop the Chrysler with the aid of another off-duty University Police officer who witnessed the incident as he drove by, Holmes said. Five .40 caliber and two nine-millimeter live rounds were found by University Police inside the suspects' vehicle, she said. In addition, University Police discovered a 10-channel police scanner, a black ski mask, a black knit cap and a straight razor inside the Chrysler. University Police Sergeant Tom Rambo said the five men were transferred to Southwest Detectives for investigation and to be charged with moving violations. The driver was issued citations for reckless driving, disregarding a red light, driving without a license and driving without insurance, Holmes said. Rambo added that two suspects were juveniles and were released shortly after being transported to the detectives. The other three men in the vehicle had outstanding criminal warrants, Rambo said. In an unrelated incident, University Police Sergeant Keith Christian said a man was robbed of $20 at 41st and Locust streets at about 5:15 p.m Friday. Christian added that another student was also robbed of $2 outside his residence at 42nd and Chestnut streets at about 2:23 a.m. Friday.
(03/20/95 10:00am)
Senior listed as critical Two University students were severely injured when their car lost control and struck a highway retaining wall Thursday night, Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel said yesterday. As of last night, Engineering and Wharton senior Anthony Ng, the driver of the vehicle, was still listed in critical condition at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, according to Nursing Shift Director Betsy Russom. Although both the driver and passenger's side airbags were activated, Ng's head went through the windshield, Cassel said. Russom added that Wharton junior Ferdinand Cheuk was in stable condition at the hospital. Cassel said Ng is currently in an induced coma to prevent further brain swelling and damage. She said that he is in a "life threatening situation" because of the severe head trauma. In addition, Ng had learned earlier in the day of his acceptance to an engineering doctoral program at the University of Chicago, she added. Cheuk, who is expected to recover fully, underwent an operation last week to stop abdominal bleeding, Cassel said. He also sustained minor lacerations. Ng lost control of his red BMW while driving south in the right-hand lane on Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park. According to Accident Investigation Officer Victoria Smith, he swerved to the left in order to avoid the right-hand barrier. The car then spun out of control across four lanes traffic, until finally striking a stone wall. Smith said the car was destroyed after sustaining "extensive damage" to the left side. She added that Ng had not been drinking before the accident, although the incident is still under investigation. Both students' families flew in from Hong Kong to keep vigil "around the clock" at the hospital, along with over 20 University students. Cassel said the VPUL will continue to provide counseling and support services for friends and family of the victims. She added that the community has been "very, very supportive." People interested in Cheuk and Ng's condition should call the VPUL Office or the Victim Support and Special Services Office for updates, Cassel said. This accident is the second car accident involving University students in as many weeks. Over spring break, College junior Justin Koppel was killed in a head-on collision when his car was struck by another vehicle in the Florida Keys. Wharton junior Scott Weisblum, who was also injured in the March 5 accident, is expected to return to campus this week after recovering at home.
(03/16/95 10:00am)
'Owl Society' to be excluded The Psi Upsilon fraternity came one step closer to recolonizing at the University after the Greek Alumni Council approved its provisional recognition bid last night, according to GAC chairperson Andrea Dobin. This decision follows Tuesday's Interfraternity Council vote to support the fraternity's reinstatement. But Dobin said the administration still needs to approve GAC's and the IFC's decision to grant provisional recognition status before Psi Upsilon can return to campus. The fraternity was kicked off campus in 1990 after Psi Upsilon brothers kidnapped a member of Delta Psi, a rival fraternity. The Delta Psi brother was handcuffed to a pole while Psi Upsilon brothers yelled racial slurs at him. Upon losing recognition, some members of Psi Upsilon formed an underground fraternity known as the "Owl Society" or "Castle." When Psi Upsilon unsuccessfully attempted to regain recognition last year, GAC expressed concern over the group's connections with the Owl Society. As part of GAC's decision to approve provisional recognition, no member of the Owl Society will be allowed to become a Psi Upsilon brother, Dobin said. "The history of the chapter is an issue as it was when they tried to recolonize last year," she said. "There are many safeguards to insure that the Owl Society and the new Psi Upsilon chapter are separate and distinct." Although there have been "a lot of changes" in Psi Upsilon's structure, Dobin said that if Owl Society members join the new fraternity, Psi Upsilon will again lose its recognition. Michael Corwin, an independent consultant contracted by Psi Upsilon alumni in Philadelphia, said the fraternity has made a clean break from the Owl Society. The Psi Upsilon brother and alumnus of Washington State University said the fraternity will have all pledges sign an agreement stating they are not "involved in any manner" with the society. "We are going to be known as Psi Upsilon. We don't want to bring back the Castle," Corwin said, adding that the fraternity's local alumni group has spent over $20,000 on the reactivation process since last November. If the University approves the recolonization status, Dobin said Psi Upsilon then must negotiate to determine the location of the fraternity house. After the abduction of the Delta Psi member, all Psi Upsilon brothers were removed from their house, commonly known as "the Castle," which is located at 36th Street and Locust Walk. Since then, the Castle has been used to house the Community Service Living Learning Program. In the 1950s, Psi Upsilon and the University entered into an agreement in which ownership of the property was given to the University. According to Associate Treasurer Christopher Mason, the agreement said that if Psi Upsilon ever lost its house, the University would have to provide the fraternity with another property and pay for moving costs. The local alumni chapter filed a lawsuit against the University that was dropped over six months ago, Corwin said. He said the fraternity's "greatest desire" is to move back into the Castle, but the first step is to gain recognition from the University. "We have to have a fraternity before we think about where we live," Corwin added. "It is all in the administration's court. All Psi Upsilon has is a hope and a dream."
(03/14/95 10:00am)
Other student injured in crash One University student was killed and another seriously injured in a head-on car collision in the Florida Keys early last Sunday morning. The accident claimed a total of three lives. College junior Justin Koppel was killed while driving his car with Wharton junior Scott Weisblum and Michael Zablotsky, a Miami Beach resident, Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel said yesterday. Sylvia Plante of Bucks County, Pa., the driver of the car that struck Koppel's, died in the collision. Zablotsky was also killed. Weisblum suffered a broken elbow and facial injuries. Koppel, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother, was buried in his hometown of Westlake Village, Calif. on Thursday. "Justin was extremely comfortable with himself, and because of this he was comfortable with other people," College senior and SAE brother Joshua Blatt said. "It's not that he lived his life for other people. It's just that other people were his life." Richard Koppel, Justin's father, said his son was "very active in his fraternity" and had also worked as an intern for NBC news. SAE President and College junior Joe Ayoob said that in memory of Koppel, the fraternity is "going to have an award for the brother that exemplifies his spirit." Although about a dozen SAE brothers were able to attend Koppel's funeral, many brothers learned of the tragedy only after returning from spring break. Cassel said a meeting was held at the SAE house on Sunday night to explain what happened and provide counseling for nearly 100 of Koppel's friends. Weisblum, also an SAE brother, is recovering from his injuries at home and is expected to return to the University next Tuesday, Cassel added. "He's pretty shaken up," she said. "Psychologically, he's probably going to need a lot of support. Michael [Zablotsky] was his best friend and he also lost his fraternity brother." According to Florida police, Koppel's car was struck at about 3 a.m. by Plante's Hyundai, which was traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour with no headlights on. Plante was killed instantly after the impact catapulted her car over Koppel's Acura, as the Hyundai burst into flames. Police had been in an on-and-off high-speed chase with Plante for over 100 miles. Before the fatal accident occurred, police had hoped to stop her by throwing a stinger spike system underneath Plante's car. The system would puncture and deflate her tires over the course of several miles. But police were unable to deploy the stinger before she slammed into Koppel's car. The chase began when Plante was stopped by police for traveling too slowly on a highway near the University of Miami. She was pulled over, but then sped off when an officer approached her vehicle to ask for a license and registration. Florida Highway Patrol Spokesperson Sergeant Ernesto Duarte said the investigation into the accident will not be completed until April. Duarte added that Plante's toxicology report would be part of the final investigation. A vigil is being organized by the fraternity for next Wednesday night, Ayoob said. He added that a memorial service is being planned for April to coincide with Koppel's family traveling to the University. Richard Koppel said donations could be made to the Las Virgenes Unified School District Justin Koppel Fund in California. This is second tragic car accident involving students vacationing in Florida during spring break in recent years. Two University students were killed in a car accident while traveling to Walt Disney World in March 1991. The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this article.
(03/03/95 10:00am)
Rochelle Webster, an administrative assistant in the Graduate School of Education, was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend Wednesday night, Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush said. Bryon Davis confessed to murdering Webster before jumping off the Benjamin Franklin Bridge at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night. A Philadelphia Police Homicide spokesperson said Davis' body has not yet been found by search crews, adding that the investigation will be continued today. Rush said that Davis is presumed to be dead. Although the status of Davis and Webster's relationship is unclear at this time, Rush said the couple has a three-year-old son. She added that Webster had received a Protection From Abuse Order against Davis last October. The order, which usually sets limitations on social interactions between the parties and child custody, was obtained after Davis struck Webster in an on-campus incident. Rush said that on the night of the murder, Davis drove Webster and their child to his home in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, because her apartment was on fire and she could not stay there. Webster was later found dead in Davis' apartment on the 1900 block of 69th Avenue by Philadelphia Police. The child was discovered unharmed and asleep in another room. Rush said Victim Support had helped Webster since she obtained the court order. In addition, University Police provided an escort for Webster when she was feeling unsafe on campus. "In a follow-up conversation with a Victim Support officer last week, it appeared that things were going quite well," Rush said. "She seemed very happy. "It was a tragic end to a situation that was unclear as to why she was with him," she added. Rush added that Protection From Abuse Orders can be helpful in domestic violence cases, and this incident should not deter other people from seeking assistance. Victim Support provided a counselling session yesterday for Webster's friends and co-workers, she said. "Her colleagues are shaken and saddened by the incident," Rush said. "They will feel her loss for a long time to come." In Wednesday night's incident, traffic was stopped on the bridge and power was cut to the westbound PATCO High-Speed Line tracks as Delaware Port Authority Police Officer Thomas Jeffers attempted to talk Davis down from the ledge for more than 20 minutes. Davis said he could not come down and had to jump because he "killed his girlfriend," according to Philadelphia Police Detectives. Earlier that day, Davis told a friend he "did something horrible," and ordered the friend to "go get his son." The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this story.
(02/27/95 10:00am)
Allied Security has been cited for over 170 infractions and "performance deficiencies" in the six months it has provided residential security for the University, according to a letter sent to Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone today by Security Services Director Christopher Algard. There were eight incidents of guards sleeping, 26 of guards away from their posts, and 41 reports of guards showing up late for work, the memo states. In addition, guards were cited 17 times for not checking IDs, 83 times for "deficient job knowledge," and twice for placing unauthorized phone calls. "There has been an increased level of problems with the number of people dozing off after 3 a.m.," University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last week. "We saw a long period of time of minimal violations. It has just been the last few weeks that we've had more instances happening." During the first 30 days of Allied's contract with the University, four guards were fired for sleeping on the job. Algard also said in the letter that "in many cases, but not all, we have been watching critically for something to go wrong rather than to go right. The reasons may be the history that led to the changing of the guard contractors in the summer of '94. I believe some people want Allied to fail." The letter also states: "Allied is the outsider contractor and receives most of the attention when something goes wrong." In August, Allied replaced McGinn Security Services, which came under fire after guards were caught sleeping on duty and it was discovered that the firm had hired minors. In an interview last week, Algard said that he would "hate to see any comparisons" between Allied and McGinn. Algard added that Residential Living's full-time employees and student workers commit many of the same violations as the Allied guards. Kuprevich said the Division of Public Safety and Allied have been working together to resolve the problems and he is "very pleased with [Allied's] immediate response." But in a memorandum obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian from a source in High Rise North, Simeone said she was "concerned" about the quality of service Allied is providing. In a separate memo sent by Simeone a day earlier, she states that she is "feeling more and more that Allied management does not respond satisfactorily to our customer complaints." The memo is addressed to Security Services Director Chris Algard and carbon-copied to Manager of Safety and Security for Residential Living Joe Kirk as well as Kuprevich. Simeone said the complaints, "all of which are legitimate, are sometimes totally ignored." She also recommended that Algard be "very aggressive with Allied about their training programs, supervisory processes, quality assurance programs?all of which they 'sold' us as part of the bid process." But in an interview with the DP last week Simeone expressed none of these concerns, instead citing a Residential Living telephone survey of 50 random students, in which 84 percent of those called said Allied's performance was "good or excellent." The survey, conducted in November, also reported that 94 percent of those surveyed said the midnight to 8 a.m. -- or "graveyard" shift -- was also "good or excellent." Simeone said she was aware of the recent sleeping incidents, adding that she considers guards falling asleep a major security problem. Algard said after the new incidents of sleeping guards came to light, Public Safety requested that Allied develop an "action plan" to investigate ways to "reengineer the job itself." The restructuring will include changing temperature conditions at indoor security posts and providing additional work for guards during the periods of decreased overnight activity. In response to the recent problems with guards sleeping on duty, Allied has doubled the number of supervisors on the "graveyard" shift as well as increased the number of nightly checks supervisors perform on the guard posts. Allied Account Facilitator Bernard Urquhart declined to comment.
(02/23/95 10:00am)
College sophomore Greg Blair was knocked unconscious after falling outside the Palladium Restaurant and Bar early yesterday morning and had to be taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Last night HUP Nursing Coordinator and Evening Administrator Nancy Dodd confirmed that Blair was admitted to the hospital, where he is listed in serious condition. She added that he was "in the process" of being moved out of the intensive care unit at about 8 p.m. last night. University Police Sergeant Keith Christian said the student had consumed a "significant quantity" of alcohol inside the Palladium and appeared to be under 21, the legal drinking age in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Palladium owner Dwayne Ball refused to comment on the specifics of the incident. "I wasn't here," he said. "I have nothing to say about it at all." Although sources said Blair was in the bar with fellow Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers, Christian said the incident was not fraternity related. The student was "not very responsive" when University Police discovered him shortly after 12:30 a.m., Christian said. Blair was taken to HUP by Philadelphia Fire Rescue. Christian added that before rescue services arrived, University Police officers attempted to keep the student warm to prevent him from falling into shock. Drug and Alcohol Resource Team Treasurer and Wharton sophomore Jon Brightbill said that University Police should be contacted whenever a student has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol and is need of medical attention. He said the University's policy is not to prosecute underage drinkers who are transported to HUP by University Police. "By all means, you call the police and have them take the person to the hospital," Brightbill said. "Usually they let the [underage drinker] go and they don't ask questions." In instances where students have been prosecuted, DART and the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education have been successful in having the charges dropped, he added. Before rescue services arrive, Brightbill said "Alcohol First Aid" should be performed by placing the intoxicated person on their side in a safe and comfortable position. He said this position will prevent the person from choking or drowning if they vomit.
(02/22/95 10:00am)
A University employee was assaulted and robbed near campus yesterday morning by two men at 39th and Delancey streets, according to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian. The employee sustained facial injuries after being struck in the face by the assailant and had to be taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment, Christian said. The suspects were last seen fleeing west on Delancey Street at about 8:05 a.m., he added. Christian said the victim described one of the two suspect's as a "black male, six-foot-five, heavy build, wearing a blue sweat suit." The employee could not give a description of the second suspect, however. Wharton junior Michael Kohn, who lives on the 3900 block of Delancey Street, said the area is unsafe, adding that his car was broken into last year. "I know the street is really not that safe," he said. "It's really frightening." Kohn said that not many pedestrians walk in the area, especially during weekdays in the early morning hours. "It's a pretty dark street and there really aren't too many people on the block," he said. "It feels pretty isolated." Yesterday's incident was the second robbery of a University-affiliated person in less than 36 hours. In an unrelated incident, a student was robbed by three men Sunday night at 43rd and Spruce streets, according to University Police Sergeant Larry Salotti. The suspects in that incident took the student's wallet at about 11:40 p.m., Salotti said.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
U. Police to keep current beats Allied Security guards will begin patrolling central walkways on campus tomorrow, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night. The initiative is a component in the master security plan unveiled by University President Judith Rodin last week. The security guards will patrol and walk beats along designated "Community Walks" created by the new security plan. These walkways are designed to encourage additional pedestrian traffic and will feature improved lighting, an expanded blue light phone system and the construction of security kiosks to be staffed by contracted guards. Security Services Director Christopher Algard said six uniformed Allied guards will start patrols of Hamilton, Locust, Smith and Woodland walks from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week. Algard said the presence of security guards should serve as a deterrent to crime. "They're going to be eyes and ears, and provide high visibility for those walkways," he said. "Is it possible to walk the length of Locust [Walk] and not see a guard? It is possible -- but it is highly unlikely. "If you stand on the Walk for 20 minutes, you should see someone," Algard added. He added that the Allied guards will not be armed, and will not have the power to detain suspects. They will, however, be in constant radio contact with University Police. Algard also said that University Police officers will continue to maintain their existing patrol routes, which will overlap with the security guard assignments. "These guards are not for police functions," he said. "It is putting more people out on the streets to watch for the same thing." Not everyone is pleased with the new plan, however. Kuprevich said the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing University Police officers, has resisted implementation of security guard patrols. He said the FOP has voiced concerns that the program violates the collective bargaining agreement and that security guards will be doing work reserved for University Police officers. Yet Kuprevich said he does not see the new guard patrols conflicting with the collective bargaining agreement. "This is not to replace campus police officers," Kuprevich said. "This is to create a security presence on campus." But University Police Officer and FOP President Dave Ball said he was hesitant to embrace the new patrols. "Good luck to them if they want to patrol," he said last night. Penn Watch President Jon Brightbill said he favored the program because it would give his town watch operation more flexibility in terms of its patrols. The Wharton sophomore said the the Allied guards will patrol the center of campus while Penn Watch focuses more on the edges of campus. "The more people out there who are paying attention, the better," Brightbill said. "This is about making the campus safer and making people feel safer." Algard added that training for the patrolling Allied guards will begin today.
(02/15/95 10:00am)
The reluctance of students to come forward and press charges after being victims of crime is leaving the Division of Public Safety with its hands cuffed. At the same time, the University is increasingly being viewed as good hunting ground by criminals who realize that students often do not press charges, or feel too busy to get involved in the judicial system. One example of students' reluctance to come forward after being victims of crime occurred last month at 40th and Locust streets. Five students said they were accosted by a man with an "Uzi or a TEC-9" machine gun in the middle of the afternoon. They refused to come forward and aid police with their investigation, however. "What people have to recognize is that the criminal justice system was set up to be complaint driven," University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said. "That means when something happens and someone wants something done about it, that's the system to be used." And while students blame police for not putting the criminals behind bars, Kuprevich said the police are powerless when the victim will not press charges. In most cases, a police officer cannot detain a suspect if the victim does not file a complaint. Often, students cite an act of retribution by the criminal as a major reason to not press charges. The students involved in the incident on Locust Street said they would not help Philadelphia Police with their investigation out of concern for their lives. But Kuprevich said the victim's fears are unfounded. "I don't know of any case here or in my 25 years of law enforcement where physical harm came to someone who testified in any of the cases I've been involved in," he said. "The occurrence of it is so minute. "It doesn't mean that [retribution] never happens," he added. "It is just not an excuse not to stand up." Kuprevich said that if a person who has testified feels afraid for his personal safety, University Police will pay "special attention to their area." In addition, if they call University Police, they will give it a "priority notice" status and treat the situation as a potential emergency. Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush said that besides fear, students often complain about the time involved in prosecution as a reason for not coming forward. "Fear I understand, but inconvenience gets me upset," she said. "Every person has a civic duty to work within the system." Victim Support provides counseling services and will transport the witness to and from court for the duration of the process. There have been promising cases recently, which may show a reverse in this the disturbing trend. Last Tuesday, for example, a female student and a woman in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall combined efforts with University Police Officer John Newton to arrest a man connected to several thefts in campus buildings. And earlier this month, a student came forward to identify a man who attempted to rob him at 36th and Market streets. The suspect in that case had been arrested earlier the same day for another robbery.
(02/13/95 10:00am)
A White Dog Cafe manager was robbed at gunpoint yesterday in the restaurant at 34th and Sansom streets, owner Judy Wicks said last night. In the incident, which occurred at about 9:30 a.m., the suspect made off with $300 from a cash drawer in the restaurant's piano bar, Tales. Because of the time of day, there were no patrons in the cafe during the robbery, Wicks added. University Police Sergeant Tim Trucksess described the suspect as a "six-foot black male, in his 20s, wearing a red, white and blue ski jacket and a brown cap." The suspect was last seen fleeing west on Sansom Street carrying a blue nylon bag. Wicks, who was not in the restaurant during the incident, also said the suspect entered the cafe through a side door that was opened at 9 a.m. and left unlocked so employees could enter. A cafe manager, who found the man in the piano bar removing the locked drawer with "back-up change," asked the man what he was doing in the restaurant. The suspect responded by displaying a gun and said to the manager, "Don't mess with me, mister," Wicks added. She said the man then fled the restaurant, leaving through the same unlocked side door he had originally used to gain access to the restaurant. Trucksess said University Police responded to the armed robbery after a call was dispatched over Philadelphia Police radio as a "rape." In addition, Wicks said she does not want the incident to add to the high-crime reputation of West Philadelphia. "This is the first time we've ever had someone come in here and take money," Wicks said. "In the 22 years I've lived here, we've never had an armed robbery," she added. "It was the first time and hopefully the last."
(02/09/95 10:00am)
An open door could be partially to blame for a rash of thefts in the Hutchinson Gymnasium, Assistant Director of Recreation John Hamerick said yesterday. The door in question connects Hutch to the Palestra. Hamerick said the situation is "extremely bad," adding that recently there have been five to 10 locker burglaries a week. He said the thieves are avoiding Hutch's main entrance, which is monitored by security guards. Instead, it appears the thieves are gaining access via unguarded Palestra doors and also through Hutch's side doors. "The problem is that [the thieves] are getting in through the Palestra," Hamerick said. "[Closing the connecting door] will not alleviate the problem, but it will deter it substantially. "There are numerous doors where people can let other people in," he added. "But to have a free access is another situation." University Police Detective Gary Heller said the Division of Public Safety has advised the Athletic Department that they should close the door attaching the Palestra to Hutch. He said the door is one of the entry points for the thieves. And last month two suspicious males were seen in the Hutch locker room carrying what appeared to be a bolt cutter, according to University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes. The two males then fled the locker room and exited Hutch through the unsecured door leading to the Palestra, Holmes said. A wallet and a lock were later found missing. Currently, the connecting door is kept open for the convenience of athletes and recreational joggers, Hamerick said. But the price of convenience has been rather high for those victimized by the thieves. Hamerick said the thieves typically look for credit cards and quickly ring up significant charges before the owner notices the cards are stolen. "They are using these credit cards within a half hour of stealing them," he said. "The number one rule is don't bring valuables to the gym. All you need is your ID and your workout clothes." Hamerick added that the thieves are especially difficult to catch, because after cutting the locks they replace them with new ones. This strategy, he said, gives the appearance that the thieves are legitimately using the locker room. And the lockers affected in the crime spree have been the "transient lockers," Hamerick said. These lockers are available for temporary usage and require the user to bring a padlock. He said the year-round rental lockers have not been broken into because they have combination locks.
(02/09/95 10:00am)
If more days were like last Tuesday, University Police would be able to cut down on the crime that plagues campus the most: unattended property theft. It all started when University Police Officer John Newton arrested a man believed to be connected with several thefts from several campus buildings, University Police Detective Gary Heller said. Troy Weaver of 39th and Mount Vernon streets in West Philadelphia, was taken to Southwest Detectives and charged with theft, Heller said. The arrest may not have happened without the assistance of two civilians, however. Heller said the suspect was found in a Steinberg-Dietrich Hall computer lab by Officer Newton at about 1:30 p.m., without a PennCard. Weaver was first identified by a woman who said he had been in Steinberg-Dietrich when previous thefts had been committed, Heller said. Then a female student came to the computer lab and said that Weaver had her knapsack and scarf, which were stolen from her just moments before in Van Pelt Library. Heller said Weaver, in addition to having the student's property, had a student's credit card that had not yet been reported stolen. And this arrest may begin to stem the rising tide of thefts in Steinberg-Dietrich, Towne Building, and Vance Hall. But the arrest did not come soon enough for College junior Michelle Kay. She said her knapsack was stolen last Friday night as she worked in a Steinberg-Dietrich computer lab. Kay said that when she reached down to get something from her bag, she saw it was gone. But fortunately, Kay said her bag was found by University Police in Houston Hall, minus the $100 that was taken. "I was just happy my bag was back," she said. "If this is the worst thing, I'll deal with it. "Everyone just puts their bag at their feet and they don't hold onto it," Kay added. "The person who is doing this is pretty smart because he keeps getting people who aren't paying attention." Kay added that she has learned her lesson about guarding her property since the theft. "I've been [at Steinberg-Dietrich] every day since then, and I've held onto my bags ever since," she said, adding that if the security guards checked for identification more often, unattended property theft could be cut down.
(02/02/95 10:00am)
A taxi driver saved a graduate student from being abducted by three men early yesterday morning in front of the Mellon Bank Building at 36th and Walnut streets, according to Southwest Detective Lois Jones. Jones said that the student was attempting to hail an Olde City Taxi -- that already had a passenger in it -- at about 3:45 a.m. She said the taxi driver first pulled over to the side of the street to drop off his passenger, and then went to pick up the student. By this time, however, two males were attacking the student. Jones said that the taxi driver then began to honk his horn and yell at the males to stop hitting the student. The two males apparently stopped the assault and fled in a gold Subaru, containing an additional man, after the taxi driver threatened to radio the police, Jones added. University Police Sergeant Keith Christian said the taxi driver then followed the suspects' vehicle. While in pursuit, the taxi driver radioed the Olde City dispatcher who called Philadelphia Police, he said. Jones added that officers from Philadelphia Police's 19th District joined the high-speed car chase that eventually ended near 55th and Hunter streets. Christian said the three suspects then "bailed" out of the Subaru and are still at large. But multiple forms of identification that are believed to have been stolen from victims in previous robberies were found inside the vehicle, Jones said. This is not the first abduction on or near campus, however. About one year ago, a woman was almost kidnapped by a carjacker in an incident in front of King's Court/English House. A woman was sitting in the passenger side of a black Acura Legend, when a man jumped inside the car and began to drive away. The woman struggled to leave the car, but the man fought to keep her in the vehicle. Two second-year law students, Dave Shields and Dan Cohen, rescued the woman from the car. Also, a College of General Studies student was sexually assaulted, robbed, and shot in the face after being abducted by a man in a parking lot across the street from the Law School in October of 1993. And that same week, a 55-year-old former University instructor was abducted and forced by her assailant to drive to North Philadelphia, where he attempted to use her MAC card.
(01/30/95 10:00am)
Joe Gallagher did not want to think of University students as common criminals. But an increase in the number of students shoplifting from the Wawa Food Market at 38th and Spruce Streets has left Gallagher, the store's general manager, with no recourse but to crack down on stealing. Gallagher said that although he contacted University Police after a few past incidents, he has generally refrained from calling the police to avoid getting students in serious trouble. Most of the time, Gallagher said, he will yell at the student and make them either pay or return the merchandise. In the future, however, he said he has instructed employees to notify University Police of every incident, to curb the "excessive amounts" of thefts that are "over industry standards." "We're not here to get anyone expelled," he said. "We have a business to run, though. We can't have people coming in here helping themselves. "I don't want to see this happen to [the students] but we can't have losses like that," Gallagher added, refusing to specify the amount of merchandise stolen. Yet Gallagher's plan may not prevent students from shoplifting. A College freshman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he steals once or twice a week from the convenience store and has no plans to cut back. "Everything is free past 2 [a.m.] on the weekends," the College freshman said. "I don't think it's hurting them considering the business [students are] giving them. It doesn't justify it, but it's not such a cruel thing to the Wawa owner." The College freshman said that he usually shoplifts a Snapple, a Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza and a magazine on the weekend after drinking. He said that stealing is a more convenient option than waiting on the register lines. The College freshman added that the large crowds distract employees from preventing the shoplifting, and he has no fear of getting caught. "I wouldn't steal if I was at all nervous about [getting caught]," he said. "Every time I do steal I'm not going to get caught. If I see someone there watching, I'm not going to risk it."
(01/27/95 10:00am)
The Philadelphia Bomb Squad responded to a call of a suspicious package at 3401 Walnut Street yesterday afternoon, Philadelphia Bomb Squad Technician Pete King said. The package, which was imbedded with razor blades, was sent to a female University employee early yesterday afternoon, King said. University Police Chief George Clisby said the employee worked on the fifth floor of the building, where the University's human resources and business services department are located. The employee cut herself on the razor blades while opening the package at about 1:25 p.m. In addition to the Bomb Squad, Philadelphia and University Police, and Fire Rescue personnel responded to evacuate the building, which includes the Food Court. Authorities felt the building needed to be cleared in the event the package was an explosive device. King said that after the package was removed from the building, the Bomb Squad X-rayed it and determined there were "no explosives or other types of hazards." The woman who opened the package was treated for hand injuries at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, King said. Wharton senior Karen Klinger said the fire alarm was intentionally pulled in the building to facilitate evacuation. She said the evacuation proceeded smoothly. "Everyone was very, very calm and orderly," Klinger said. In addition to the evacuation of the building, the 3400 block of Walnut Street and 34th Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets were closed to vehicles for over two hours. King added that the incident will be investigated by Southwest Detectives. This is the second suspicious package received by a University employee this month, University Police Sergeant Mike Fink said last night. On January 7th, a package sent from Thailand that contained four vials of brown liquid was received in Room 435 at the Johnson Pavilion, Fink said. The package contained a message that claimed its contents were a cure for AIDS, he said. Fink added that the vials were destroyed by the University's Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
(01/23/95 10:00am)
In a dramatic auto accident last night, a Reliable Cab Services taxi flipped over, landing on the driver's side and slamming into three other cars at 40th and Walnut streets at about 9:30 p.m. last night. Miraculously, there were no injuries. Amidst the wreckage, Philadelphia Fire Rescue personnel extricated the taxi driver, Gen Chenet of Philadelphia, through the passenger side's door on what had become the top of the vehicle. At least 10 Philadelphia and University Police vehicles responded within minutes of the accident to close off the 4100 block of Walnut Street to traffic. In addition, although police scrambled to collect evidence about the incident, the cause of the accident remained unknown. One person who witnessed the incident, Kesha Wilson, said she saw another car hit the cab on its left side and flee west on Walnut Street. Latasha Wilson, another witness, said the other car involved in the accident appeared to be a green colored taxi-cab. Chenet, a taxi driver for over 17 years, said he did not know how the accident happened and never saw the second car. In addition, he said he was not speeding at the time of the accident while he drove west on Walnut Street at about 35 miles per hour. "It was happening so fast," he said. "It felt like the front [of the taxi] was shaking." Of the three cars damaged by the taxi, the most severe was a black Cadillac Eldorado. The left rear of the car was crumpled from the impact of the taxi, exposing the entire wheel. The Cadillac's owner, who was at the scene of the accident, was visibly shaken and refused to comment. As it crashed, the taxi pushed the Cadillac forward into a black Mercury, damaging the rear bumper. A fourth car on the scene was also damaged.
