Recently, the state of Conneticut released rapists, murders, and pedophiles behind the wooded area of Park Royal.

"I was concerned for my life, I knew he was up to no good. He actually followed me up to my apartment", said Lauren McAvoy, a Junior, from West Islip, N.Y.

On Tuesday, September, 6, 2005 at 8:22 p.m., the investigating officer was dispatched to 2600 Park Avenue on a suspicious person complaint.

He arrived shortly thereafter and spoke to McAvoy and Courtney Pustay, both students from SHU, one living at Park Royal.

At 8:00 p.m. the suspect came from the wood line behind the pool and followed McAvoy inside the building.

The security guard at Park Royal mentioned that the suspicious man was harmless and a nice guy.

"Harmless? How would he know? The security guard didnt even know the guy," said McAvoy.

"The state doesn't want anyone to know that these half-way houses exist. They are reserved for convicted murderers and pedophiles, who live on Benson and High Ridge," said the investigating officer.

Both roads corner Park Royal's parking lot, where the subject was first seen trespassing.

McAvoy explained in detail what happened.

"I parked my car in a back spot. Afterwards, I noticed an African American man coming towards me from the wood-like area near the pool. I thought it was strange. After I got out of my car, I proceeded towards the building. I began to panic. I tried to walk faster. I kept looking back at him realizing that I was clearly the object he was after," said McAvoy.

After McAvoy entered the building, she couldn't find security.

"I was hoping the security guard would be there when I entered, but he wasn't. I walked up the stairs, picking up the pace with every step."

McAvoy didn't want to the suspect to know where she lived .

"I didn't want him to follow me into my apartment, so I walked into the laundry room. My heart was racing and I didn't know what to do, I acted as if I was checking my laundry. The man knocked on the door next to the laundry room. An old Indian couple lived there; I knew he didn't know them."

She poked her head out to see if he was gone and saw that he was staring at her.

He then walked towards the elevator and pressed the button; acting as if he were waiting to go upstairs.

After a minute, he disappeared; then McAvoy ran inside her apartment.

Five minutes later, Pustay parked in the visitors lot.

While walking towards the building, she encountered the stalker. The man saw her and pursued her all the way to the building.

He began to utter things like, "Hey baby, where are you going, come here," said Pustay.

After the police arrived at the scene, they sent the K-9 unit into the woods.

Unfortunately, the dogs couldn't pick up a scent.

Park Royal's building manager observes the cameras and watches people as they come in.

"The problem is that the cameras are not hooked up to a DVR; nothing is recorded," said McAvoy. "Everything should be recorded on tape in case something like this were to happen again."

Rapes and murders are increasingly becoming more popular among teenage girls and young adults.

Alcohol, drugs and mental illness is the top three factors in cases like these.

Women should learn how to protect themselves and even learn how to prevent situations like these from occurring.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Never walk alone in the dark at night or early hours of the morning.

If suspicious activity is seen or sensed, immediately go to a safe place: Gas stations, police stations, churches, synagogues, bodegas or any other places where people can be found gathered together;

Never walk to the car alone, especially in dark places. Make sure to have a cell phone on you incase of an emergency.

When being dropped off at home, make sure a friend walks you to your apartment or at least makes sure you have arrived safely inside.

If coming from a bar or club never get a ride from a stranger, the person may seem nice but true intentions are never known until it's too late.

Other students on campus are also concerned with the incident.

"I think that the school should have informed the students right away. I've heard that since this school is a private institution, they don't have to release such information," said Rachel Brophy, a junior from Dalton, Mass.

No one was hurt in the incident but it certainly raised awareness of suspicious activity within the community.