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Volume CXXXIII, Number 12 |
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Students assaulted, property vandalized
ALISON L. McCONNELL
ORIENT STAFF
Bowdoin's campus was recently the site of several incidents
involving acts of assault and vandalism. "Last Sunday afternoon,
we were contacted by a student [who] advised us of an assault that had
occurred the previous night," Assistant Director of Security Michael
Brown said.
"She indicated that while walking near the Harpswell
Apartments, she and her friends were approached by a group of juveniles.
In the course of interviewing her, it was determined that an assault had
occurred against her roommate and another student who was walking with
them," he said
The female student declined to file a police report, so
Security attempted to contact with the other student mentioned in the
incident. Security confirmed that the other student, a male, had also
been assaulted on Saturday, but the student also opted not to file a report.
While the identities of those involved were not released, Brown said that
the victims had been confirmed as Bowdoin students.
That same night, four cars were vandalized shortly after
a group of juveniles, similar to the descriptions provided by the victims,
were asked to leave an off-campus residence. "There are also some
reports that this group was involved in the attempted theft of a beer
tap at two separate locations, one of which was on campus," Brown
said. "There are no clear indications of motive."
Security received reports of two other possible incidents
involving assault, only one of which it was able to confirm on Thursday.
The incident was perpetrated by a group of juveniles who match the descriptions
from the other incidents, which also occurred on Harpswell Avenue.
Brown said that since all events are believed to have taken
place between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. along the same street, Security
believes they are connected in some way. He added that descriptions of
individuals involved all seem to match.
None of those responsible have been apprehended, however.
"Our efforts have been hindered by the delayed reports and a reluctance
to file police reports," Brown said. "Because of the nature
of the crimes, the Brunswick Police Department is best suited to actively
investigate these complaints.
"Police reports were filed in regards to the vandalism
to the motor vehicles, but not in any of the incidents of assault,"
he continued. "In the absence of a report, the full resources of
the Police Department cannot be employed to resolve this case. We've advised
them of the incidents, but have to exclude any identifiable information
about the students involved."
The security team is able to further investigate on the
College's behalf, but Brown said that its results would be limited to
criminal trespass charges and the like. "I hope that as we near a
resolution in this matter, and the identification of the perpetrators,
the victims might consider the other options available to them,"
he said.
"Currently our efforts are focused on gathering as
much information about these incidents, and perhaps others that have not
yet been reported," he continued. "We will be exploring some
patrol alternatives in certain areas to increase our effectiveness in
areas adjacent to the campus."
It is unclear whether the victims knew any of their assailants.
"I remain optimistic that somebody on campus may have been familiar
with at least one member of the group," Brown said. "They appear
to have spent a significant amount of time in the area, but it is unknown
if they were invited or were merely exploiting the relatively open atmosphere
of the Bowdoin campus."