The Troy Police Department has made several arrests recently in connection with the recent robberies, vandalism, and reports of assault both on and nearby the Rensselaer campus. Its investigation has been led in conjunction with the RPI Department of Public Safety.
According to Director of Public Safety Jerry Matthews, at least one of the arrests was in relation to the recent acts of car vandalism. Earlier in October, 42 cars in the Beman Park area were vandalized, with damages ranging from tire slashing and keying to burglaries.
The recent arrests have not minimized efforts made by Public Safety to be proactive about campus safety. According to Matthews, extra patrols will continue on and around campus indefinitely, in addition to the presence of plain-clothed officers. Public Safety also has a full-time investigator who works with victims, creates suspect profiles, and works with the Troy Police Department. Public Safety will continue its services to the campus with regards to providing safety tips, self defense courses, and Rape Awareness Defense programs.
Part of its community outreach is to offer workshops on personal safety to the Institute community. Public Safety offered a personal safety program to international students yesterday. The program included the information that most undergraduate students receive during Student Orientation and encouraged students to be safety-conscious when going about their daily activities. TPD and registered RAD instructors were also present for this workshop. Public Safety is interested in the possibility of having an international student serve as a liaison to the Troy Police Department in order to assist other international students who may need help.
A Community Safety Forum was scheduled for today and was slated to include members from the RPI and Troy community including Vice President for Administration Claude Rounds, Vice President for Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles, Dean of Students Mark Smith, Director of Public Safety Jerry Matthews, representatives from the Troy Police Department, Doyle Middle School and Troy High School. Organized by Grand Marshal Julia Leusner ’08, the forum was intended to provide an opportunity for discussion on community safety in light of the recent events.
