The Spectrum

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Elyse Harrell Public Safety keeps a watchful eye for suspicious looking people lurking around student housing.

Ever feel like you are being watched?

The safety of students is Sacred Heart's priority, but an issue concerning a suspicious individual from the fall semester that surfaced again last week and over the weekend at the Oakwood Apartments, has put it in question.

A strange man, who remains unidentified, continues to invade students' privacy at the Oakwood Apartments.

Since last semester, the male has lurked outside the apartment of a specific group of students banging on windows and engaging in other suspect and disturbing activities.

The concerned students contacted Public Safety immediately to keep them aware of the ominous man that has been prowling around their Oakwood home.

In response, Public Safety sent an officer to routinely patrol the Oakwood grounds for a few weeks following the incident before the end of the semester.

"We have increased patrols of the Oakwood Apartments and we patrol all student housing areas," said Jack Fernandez, Director of Public Safety.

Until recently the stranger had never returned. But after the students came back from winter break, the suspicious man returned and the continuous knocking on the windows and banging on the doors began again.

"The knocks first started in the living room," said one of the residents of the apartment whose identity has been concealed for safety reasons. "Whether I am by myself or with my roommate I am terribly scared. It really was creepy and I do not feel safe."

Another Oakwood resident, who also remains anonymous, told Public Safety that they witnessed a man that did not look like a student or a resident loitering around the apartments near the same time the other students reported the reoccurring incident.

Despite the scary incident, many students feel that Oakwood is a safe place to live.

"I thought Public Safety always maintained a presence when I was living there," said Amanda DeMatteis, junior, Hamden. "I did almost get my car broken into there so I do think they should have a spot where they sit there all night."

Kelly Brooks, junior, Babylon, N.Y., who lives at the Taft Apartments agrees with DeMatteis.

Continued...

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