crime_alert
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That’s the subject line of eleven different emails in each Cornellian’s inbox from this year. Forcible touchings, strong-armed robberies, murders and heroin dealers made the headlines throughout 2010. Many of the perpetrators committing 2010’s unlawful actions remain free, but the most high-profile ones weren’t so lucky. In 2009, there were six crime alert emails distributed.
In April, two unrelated harassment incidents went under investigation. White males reportedly assaulted females on two different occasions, both approaching the victims by surprise and grabbing them. A few days later, on April 24, there was another report of a female being attacked. Yet another unknown white male approached the victim – the girl bit and kicked her way out of the situation after being knocked down on the ground.
Things got weirder in July. Three unknown males on three different occasions reportedly exposed themselves to females in a lewd manner. Two occurred near Beebe bridge, and another was a strange case of drive-by exposure. ‘A male subject in a car pulled up to a female who was walking on campus and exposed himself. The subject called the female over to the vehicle and exposed himself,’ the email said.
Over the course of the last weekend in August, three burglaries were reported in Collegetown. ‘Entry into these residential buildings was gained through unlocked doors or windows. Laptops, iPods and other easily transported high-value items were stolen,’ the report told students.
Two strong-armed robberies were reported, one on Oct. 28 and another on Nov. 25. In October, a male perp forcibly touched a female jogger and stole her iPod. He also allegedly forcibly added a ‘Justin Bieber playlist.’ Just kidding. The incident took place along the Fall Creek trail between Stewart Ave. and the suspension bridge. November’s robbery was a man surprising a female from behind and nabbing her purse.
A total of nine forcible touchings and assaults against females were reported throughout 2010, one of which sent a woman to the hospital with minor injuries. Ray Mensah ’11, Student Assembly V.P., proposed allowing pepper spray on campus to provide women with a means of defense. It didn’t go through. On Nov. 12, a ‘solidarity’ rally by the Women’s Resource Center was accompanied by a separate forum on Nov. 3 which brought students, professors, and administrators together to discuss how best to handle the crimes against females. Professor Eric Cheyfitz, American Indian Studies, blamed a lack of diversity dialogue. Cornell Police planned an attempt at a widely-publicized sting operation. In short, progress has been minimal.
But the year’s biggest losers made headlines just this past month. A visiting man was from New York was shot and killed on Maple Ave, just on the outer edges of Collegetown. Police arrested a suspect over a week later. Most recently, Keri Blakinger ’11, Daily Sun columnist and Cornell student, was arrested with 6 ounces of heroin in a ziploc bag. Her tortured housemates will probably be enjoying a longgg break from her needle-dropping antics.
While I prefer crime alerts over condolence letters, hopefully 2011 will see some kinder-hearted folks.
This post is the first in a series of entries that will reflect on Cornell’s biggest stories of 2010. Stay tuned and keep reading throughout the holiday season!
