2008 Woodie Awards
Crimes near campus come in waves
By: Amy Ledig, News Editor
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
A recent knifepoint robbery and a sexual assault in the area have set the Macalester community on edge. The two incidents, which occurred amidst a flurry of robberies and assaults at other local schools, have raised concern.
The robbery occurred at 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 near 1725 Grand, just past Ramsey Junior High School. According to the Security Alert released that day, three Macalester students "were approached by a perpetrator who displayed a large knife and demanded money. One student handed over his wallet and the other two students were able to run away from the scene."
The sexual assault occurred on Jan. 30, just days after the spring semester began. The victim was a non-Macalester affiliated woman. She was walking near Wheeler Street and Stanford Avenue when her attacker grabbed her from behind and pulled her into an alley.
"The sexual assault is very serious, but it did happen pretty far from campus," Assistant Directory of Facilities Management and Head of Security Terry Gorman.
The school posted pink alert flyers around campus and sent the alert to students, faculty and staff via the college's flash bulletin because the police asked security to publicize the incidents in the hopes that someone saw something and will come forward with information.
The robbery has been a source of consternation for campus security and the police.
"The police even shake their heads. It's so random for [the perpetrator] to pick this out," Gorman said. "It's really hard, those guys were doing all the right things."
He said that although the students were out late they were in a group, in a populated area and gave up their possessions, adding that students rarely carry large sums of money so it's better to give up the wallet or purse than risk a struggle.
"Since I've seen the posters, I do kind of think about that more," said Jennifer Scanlan '10. "Stuff happens to everyone, but now it's happening to privileged students so people are noticing, but you can't always be afraid."
The robbery occurred at 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 near 1725 Grand, just past Ramsey Junior High School. According to the Security Alert released that day, three Macalester students "were approached by a perpetrator who displayed a large knife and demanded money. One student handed over his wallet and the other two students were able to run away from the scene."
The sexual assault occurred on Jan. 30, just days after the spring semester began. The victim was a non-Macalester affiliated woman. She was walking near Wheeler Street and Stanford Avenue when her attacker grabbed her from behind and pulled her into an alley.
"The sexual assault is very serious, but it did happen pretty far from campus," Assistant Directory of Facilities Management and Head of Security Terry Gorman.
The school posted pink alert flyers around campus and sent the alert to students, faculty and staff via the college's flash bulletin because the police asked security to publicize the incidents in the hopes that someone saw something and will come forward with information.
The robbery has been a source of consternation for campus security and the police.
"The police even shake their heads. It's so random for [the perpetrator] to pick this out," Gorman said. "It's really hard, those guys were doing all the right things."
He said that although the students were out late they were in a group, in a populated area and gave up their possessions, adding that students rarely carry large sums of money so it's better to give up the wallet or purse than risk a struggle.
"Since I've seen the posters, I do kind of think about that more," said Jennifer Scanlan '10. "Stuff happens to everyone, but now it's happening to privileged students so people are noticing, but you can't always be afraid."
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