Spring Break
UCPD should use text alert for actual crimes, too
Our Opinion
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: Commentary
Every student registered for the UConn text message alert system probably received a text warning them about a "suspicious activity" that occurred at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening around Hilltop Apartments. Depending on your cell phone service, you may have received the message at 9:30 or even as late as 11; not exactly the most reliable way to keep students safe and informed.
For this particular disturbance, the text system caused more panic than relief. The message literally stated, "UConn police reporting suspicious incident at Hilltop Apartments at 6:35 P.M." It then told students to refer to the UConn emergency alert Web site and Huskymail for more information. Whether or not students immediately rushed to their laptops to check their e-mail, the only message to be found was a pretty worthless description of a less than "suspicious" activity.
The e-mail explained that a male, about 6 feet tall and wearing a red jacket, came within a few feet of a female who began to feel uncomfortable. After an unknown period of time, estimated to be very brief, both parties turned and left in opposite directions without having spoken. This suspicious activity ultimately ended in zero harm and nothing illegal. With many students out around campus, all that was accomplished by the UConn Police alert was an increased level of fear.
However, last Wednesday night at Charter Oak Apartments, an actual crime occurred. The Hartford Courant reported on Saturday that a drug deal went sour - so sour that students really had something to look out for. A UConn student living in Brown Hall prearranged a drug deal with two non-students. In the course of the illegal transaction, these two non-students pointed a gun at the student and proceeded to beat him and rob him, taking about $6,000 in cash and $3,000 in merchandise. Once the two men left, someone apparently called the police to report the incident. The two assailants were not apprehended until Thursday night, according to the Courant. UConn, however, chose not to inform students of the attack because the police knew who the assailants were and were confident that the two had left campus. While UConn police also noted that the victim was specifically targeted, The Daily Campus reported, this would have been UConn's best opportunity so far to utilize the text alert system because of the presence of a gun.
While it is great of UConn to continuously implement new ways to protect our campus, this time their efforts do not seem quite as noble. Students are beginning to question whether this really is an effective use of funds, or just a big publicity stunt. Regardless of UConn's intentions, students just want to feel safe on campus. We can just hope that UConn's methods will keep us safe and prevent further incidents.
For this particular disturbance, the text system caused more panic than relief. The message literally stated, "UConn police reporting suspicious incident at Hilltop Apartments at 6:35 P.M." It then told students to refer to the UConn emergency alert Web site and Huskymail for more information. Whether or not students immediately rushed to their laptops to check their e-mail, the only message to be found was a pretty worthless description of a less than "suspicious" activity.
The e-mail explained that a male, about 6 feet tall and wearing a red jacket, came within a few feet of a female who began to feel uncomfortable. After an unknown period of time, estimated to be very brief, both parties turned and left in opposite directions without having spoken. This suspicious activity ultimately ended in zero harm and nothing illegal. With many students out around campus, all that was accomplished by the UConn Police alert was an increased level of fear.
However, last Wednesday night at Charter Oak Apartments, an actual crime occurred. The Hartford Courant reported on Saturday that a drug deal went sour - so sour that students really had something to look out for. A UConn student living in Brown Hall prearranged a drug deal with two non-students. In the course of the illegal transaction, these two non-students pointed a gun at the student and proceeded to beat him and rob him, taking about $6,000 in cash and $3,000 in merchandise. Once the two men left, someone apparently called the police to report the incident. The two assailants were not apprehended until Thursday night, according to the Courant. UConn, however, chose not to inform students of the attack because the police knew who the assailants were and were confident that the two had left campus. While UConn police also noted that the victim was specifically targeted, The Daily Campus reported, this would have been UConn's best opportunity so far to utilize the text alert system because of the presence of a gun.
While it is great of UConn to continuously implement new ways to protect our campus, this time their efforts do not seem quite as noble. Students are beginning to question whether this really is an effective use of funds, or just a big publicity stunt. Regardless of UConn's intentions, students just want to feel safe on campus. We can just hope that UConn's methods will keep us safe and prevent further incidents.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
femme_for_freedom
Angrier than thou
posted 2/10/09 @ 10:31 AM EST
That's it? Given how upset the entire UConn student populace seems to be about this violation of our trust and misuse of our tuition and fees, I was hoping for something a bit more scathing. (Continued…)
Shirley
posted 2/10/09 @ 11:45 AM EST
Couple of things to bear in mind...
1) When an incident occurs, do you want the cops out on the streets or at a computer sending out a text message?
2) As I understand it, the robbery was targeted - the two assailants were not running around campus with a gun. (Continued…)
Flay Dank
posted 2/11/09 @ 9:16 AM EST
I hope the chick who made the guy in the red jacket uncomfortable is found and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law!
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