Rape attempts create concern about safety of students

Wednesday, February 24, 1999

Rape attempts create concern about safety of students

CRIME: Campus officials attempt to inform Bruins about ways to
stay secure

By Mason Stockstill

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Two attempted rapes near campus in the last week have shaken
UCLA as police try to get out the word on ways students can protect
themselves.

The latest incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday
morning.

The suspect entered a woman’s apartment on Midvale Avenue
through an unlocked door and attempted to rape the resident,
according to police reports.

Police have said that the incident is similar to one that
occurred on Feb. 18, when an intruder entered another woman’s
apartment and assaulted her.

The police suspect the same person in both instances.

In both cases, the attacker fled when the victims fought back
and screamed.

The assaults were reported to the LAPD when the victims called
911.

"This morning we met with LAPD detectives to discuss this," said
Nancy Greenstein, director of community service for university
police.

Police do not have a composite description of the suspect
yet.

Greenstein stressed that students should be as careful as
possible when they are out at night or return to their homes.

"We really want to emphasize that residents make sure that doors
and windows are locked," Greenstein said.

In both attacks, the suspect entered the victims’ apartments
through unlocked doors.

Students on campus reacted to the crimes, saying that campus
security is always an issue at night.

"I don’t think it’s very safe," said Chou Doan, a first-year
biology student. "The evening vans should leave a little later.
Twelve a.m. is nice, but a lot of people still study until 1 or
2."

Another student put it more strongly.

"It’s obviously really scary," she said.

"It shouldn’t happen anywhere."

With reports from J. Sharon Yee, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]