Stay safe this fall: a note from the BU Police
On the morning of September 4, 2015, the Boston University Police sent out the following note discussing several safety topics to the entire Boston University community. We’re reposting it here for your reference.
Welcome back!
I hope that you take full advantage of the exciting events happening across campus and in our local community this fall. I encourage you to experience all the culture and diversity that our community has to offer and, while at the same time, I urge you to make informed choices when it comes to your personal safety and security.
This weekend and throughout the fall semester, the Boston University Police and the Boston Police will have additional patrols dedicated to our campus and adjacent neighborhoods. These patrols will be focused on identifying potential threats, enforce laws regarding public peace and possession of alcohol and drugs, and to ensure that individuals who present a danger to others are dealt with, swiftly and appropriately. The Boston Police, Brookline Police and Boston University Police departments will share information and collaborate to assess, investigate, and address any public safety issues.
I would like to take this opportunity to pass along a recent community safety advisory from the Boston police department:
BPD Seek Public’s Help in Effort to Identify Persons of Interest in Two Separate Indecent Assaults in Brighton
Incident #1:
At about 6:05am, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, [an] individual described as a Hispanic male, approximately 25-35 years of age, wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and a black backpack, approached a female victim from behind in the area of Harvard Street and Brighton Ave and indecently assaulted her. The victim chased the suspect who was last seen fleeing the area in the direction of Commonwealth Ave.
Incident #2:
At about 3:00pm, on Monday, August 31, 2015, officers from District D-14 (Brighton) spoke to a victim who entered the district station to report that she had been indecently assaulted in the area of Brighton Ave and ParkVale Ave at approximately 3:00am, on Sunday, August 30, 2015. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that a male suspect (described as a Hispanic male, medium build, wearing a white t-shirt and a tan-colored hat) approached her and indecently assaulted her. The victim further states that she fought off the suspect who was last seen running outbound along Brighton Ave.
This information, along with a suspect photo is posted on the BUPD website and has been broadcast on our Twitter (@BUPolice) to the community.
Additional police presence is certainly helpful in crime prevention and increased safety for the community, but each of us shares responsibility in this effort. Student safety also depends on being self-aware and safety conscious as individuals. We urge you to consider a few often-repeated important messages:
- Travel with others (especially at night);
- Remain alert to your surroundings;
- Walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas; avoid alleyways and deserted areas (such as parking lots);
- Avoid using cellular telephones and other electronic devices which could divert your attention from your surroundings;
- Be cautious of strangers who approach you;
- Never leave your personal property unattended in public places such as libraries, dining halls and student centers;
- Never leave beverages unattended in public places or parties and only accept beverages in unopened cans and bottles
We also urge you to review the safety advice provided on the University’s campus safety website.
Please make sure you have an immediate way to contact the Boston University Police by programming our emergency number (617-353-2121) into your smartphone, and take the time to review the news section on the homepage of the Boston University Police website each week. You can also download the free “BU Mobile” app to your smartphone with a “Call BUPD” and “Text BUPD” buttons that provide direct access to the BUPD in an emergency
Additional police patrols, combined with your diligence, are vital to the collective safety for our entire community. I ask that you make your personal safety, and the security of your property, a high priority as we begin this new academic year.
Some of you will traverse our community by bicycle. Please remember to follow the rules of the road such as stopping at red lights and signaling for turns. Your safety is paramount and wearing a helmet is very important. If you travel at night wear reflective clothing and lights. Make sure you purchase a good lock such as a u lock to help prevent against theft. For more information download the BU Bike Kit APP on your phone and go to our BU Bike Safety page.
Contact the Boston University Police Department (bupolice@bu.edu; 617-353-2110, text a tip: 847411, Keyword BU) with any questions or concerns.
Remember…if you see something, say something!
Sincerely,
Thomas G. Robbins
Executive Director of Public Safety