JMU CASE # 2007-003461 & CASE # 2007-003477
TIMELY NOTIFICATION BULLETIN
Possible Threat to the Community
"Your Right to Know"
April 12, 2007
In compliance with the "Timely Notice" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 the University Police are giving notice of two reports of suspicious persons who were alleged to have confronted students on two separate occasions on campus in recent days. These incidents may or may not be related.
The following were reported to the University Police, 2007-003461 immediately in a Timely fashion; the other 2007-003473 was reported anonymously through the Silent Witness Webpage sometime after the incident.
CASE 2007-003461: The University Police took a report of a “suspicious person” from a resident of the Greek Row residence halls on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at approx. 11:50 PM. Complainant advised that a white male subject of unknown age jumped out at her from a concealed location near the basketball courts on the Port Republic Road end of the sidewalk and attempted to grab her. The victim immediately fled the area and notified University Police after reaching her residence hall. The area was immediately searched by officers with negative results. Victim reported that other residents of her dorm had told her about a similar instance that allegedly occurred some weeks prior but had never been reported to University Officials including the Police Department. DESCRIPTION:The suspect was described only as a white male with no facial hair wearing a knit cap or “toboggan” and a camouflage jacket.
CASE 2007-003473: JMUPD received an anonymous report on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at approx. 10:33 PM through the Silent Witness Website. In the report, the victim indicates they were walking on the sidewalk near Hillside Hall when a male suspect tried to pick pocket the victim. Victim was apparently walking along talking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. When suspect was unsuccessful at taking the wallet he fled up the steps towards Wine Price and the Rockingham Memorial Hospital. DESCRIPTION: The suspect was described as “a little overweight” , had a reddish beard, was wearing a denim jacket and jeans and a “beanie” style hat. At this time the University Police are unable to substantiate this report any further as the report was made anonymously through the Silent Witness program and we are unable to communicate further with the victim. We urge the victim in this incident to contact JMUPD to provide further details that may assist us in our investigation.
It can be assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a threat to members of the community. It is the duty of the institution to warn of possible "dangerous conditions" on or near its campus, and at affiliate organizations off campus; an "affirmative duty" exists to warn persons associated with this university of possible peril at the hands of some third party or parties.
The JMU Police Department encourage anyone with information related to either of these incidents to notify them by calling (540)568-6913; reporting in person to the University Police Department Headquarters located in Anthony Seeger Hall at 821 South Main Street, Southwest corner of South Main Street and West Grace Street intersection; by e-mail publicsafety@jmu.edu, or anonymously through “Silent Witness,” http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/SilentWitness.shtml.
Public safety recommendations emphasize the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, security of residences, the development of good personal safety habits and that you report any potential criminal or suspicious activity in a timely manner to public safety officials.
Thank you.