2008 Woodie Awards
CCSU student abducted: Can this happen to a SHU student?
Laura Smith
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
It was just past midnight on Thursday, Mar. 27, when the New Britain, Conn. police received a phone call from a man saying his girlfriend had been missing.
The 20-year-old Central Connecticut State University student was taken just a few feet outside of her Essex Place apartment building, on her way in from the parking lot.
"She was abducted right outside her apartment building after she parked her car," said junior Allison Feeley, who knew the victim personally. "He grabbed her and forced her into his stolen van."
A few hours later, the stolen 2002 Oldsmobile van had been spotted by a state trooper near I-84 and he began to follow the van, as it had been reported stolen earlier that morning.
The driver would not stop, and the chase ended in a crash. The driver managed to flee the scene while the CCSU student was still in the van.
"There needs to be a more personal and situational awareness," said Paul Healy, executive director for emergency management.
With a campus like Sacred Heart University, there are still safety precautions students must take, even though we are surrounded by fences and gates.
"If this happened here I would be very scared and I would change my ways about walking around- even though I am aware now," said senior Nicole Rogener. "It's different living off campus- you have to be aware of your surroundings."
According to Healy, everyone should be conscious of issues on campus. People need to be safe at late night activities- plan ahead for walking to your car or dormitory by calling someone or even using the Public Safety escort.
"I don't feel safe all the time because it's hard to trust someone you don't know with your life," said junior Gabrielle Castellana. "Public Safety is doing as much as they could possibly do."
Healy suggested that people on campus should think through about doing their normal activities. A lot of people think that nothing bad will happen to them, when anything could happen at any time.
The 20-year-old Central Connecticut State University student was taken just a few feet outside of her Essex Place apartment building, on her way in from the parking lot.
"She was abducted right outside her apartment building after she parked her car," said junior Allison Feeley, who knew the victim personally. "He grabbed her and forced her into his stolen van."
A few hours later, the stolen 2002 Oldsmobile van had been spotted by a state trooper near I-84 and he began to follow the van, as it had been reported stolen earlier that morning.
The driver would not stop, and the chase ended in a crash. The driver managed to flee the scene while the CCSU student was still in the van.
"There needs to be a more personal and situational awareness," said Paul Healy, executive director for emergency management.
With a campus like Sacred Heart University, there are still safety precautions students must take, even though we are surrounded by fences and gates.
"If this happened here I would be very scared and I would change my ways about walking around- even though I am aware now," said senior Nicole Rogener. "It's different living off campus- you have to be aware of your surroundings."
According to Healy, everyone should be conscious of issues on campus. People need to be safe at late night activities- plan ahead for walking to your car or dormitory by calling someone or even using the Public Safety escort.
"I don't feel safe all the time because it's hard to trust someone you don't know with your life," said junior Gabrielle Castellana. "Public Safety is doing as much as they could possibly do."
Healy suggested that people on campus should think through about doing their normal activities. A lot of people think that nothing bad will happen to them, when anything could happen at any time.
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