In order for the HUPD to maintain a safe and secure environment for the students, faculty, and staff of the University, it needs the help of the community. The HUPD cannot do it alone! We need you to serve as our eyes and ears. You are in a better position to identify behavior and activities that are out of the ordinary in your residence or workplace. When you do identify suspicious behavior we need you to call the HUPD at 617-495-1212 immediately. Don't delay!
You should trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. Don't ignore it or keep it to yourself. Call us – even if you are unsure about what is occurring. We are not encouraging community members to intervene or take actions on their own. We just need you to take a moment to call us to alert us to the situation. We will then dispatch officers immediately to investigate the situation and take appropriate actions.
By being vigilant and looking out for each other, students, faculty, and staff can do their part to assist the HUPD in keeping the University safe and secure.
Below are examples of community members who saw something that didn’t seem right and called us immediately. In these cases and in others, the HUPD was able to arrest the offenders.
Example 1
Several staff members at the Taubman Building reported that an unknown male was going in and out of offices and cubicles. Officers responded and began a search of the building. The unidentified male was eventually located. The male was arrested for breaking and entering and trespassing.
Example 2
A graduate student observed an unknown individual removing her laptop from her bag at the Gutman Library. The male fled the area with the laptop, which he subsequently dropped while fleeing down the stairs. The student called to the front desk to alert them of the situation and to contact the HUPD. The front desk staff attempted to have the male wait for the arrival of the police. The male fled and building and was detained by another graduate student until HUPD officers arrived and arrested him for breaking and entering, larceny from a building, and trespassing.
Example 3
Officers were dispatched to Mather House on the report of an individual sleeping in the lobby on a make-shift bed of newspapers and clothes. The officers attempted to wake the unknown male. The male stirred awake and yelled at the officers "I am getting a good night's sleep and the only way I will leave is if you arrest me." The officers granted the unaffiliated male's wish and arrested him for breaking and entering and trespassing.
Example 4
A staff member contacted HUPD reporting an unaffiliated person at the Langdell Library using a computer workstation. Upon arrival, officers located the individual was given a no trespass warning earlier in the day. The individual was placed under arrest for trespassing.
Example 5
A graduate student reported two unknown males drinking alcohol in a laundry room in Peabody Terrace. Upon arrival, officers located the individuals still inside the laundry room consuming alcohol. Both individuals had prior trespass warnings for all University property. They were placed under arrest for break and entering and trespassing.
Example 6
A staff member reported an unidentified male sleeping in the basement of Terry Terrace. When officers arrived they interviewed the individual who stated that he ran doorbells until someone who buzzed him in. The male was arrested for trespassing and the search subsequent to his arrest others found him to be in possession of a knife, drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Example 7
An undergraduate student reported an unidentified person wandering around inside Wigglesworth Hall. When officers arrived, a search of the building was conducted and the individual was found sleeping inside a student's room. The individual was placed under arrest for breaking and entering in the nighttime and trespassing.
Example 8
A graduate student at Gund Hall called the HUPD to report that a male that appeared to be looking in numerous students' workstations looking "to steal stuff." Officers arrived and located the unaffiliated male walking unescorted on the fourth floor. He was placed under arrest for trespassing.
Example 9
A graduate student encountered an unknown female inside the elevator in North Hall who appeared to be just riding the elevator with no specific destination in mind. The resident contacted HUPD. When Officers arrived, they observed an individual, fitting the description, holding and iPod. Officers arrested determined that the female did not reside in the building and had an active warrant out for her arrest. It was later determined that the iPod in her possession was stolen property.
Example 10
A staff member observed a male attempting to break into the bicycle cage near the loading dock of the New Research Building. The staff member alerted a security guard who went to investigate. The male fled the area after observing the guard. Officers located the individual who once again attempted to flee. Officers gave chase on foot and apprehend the male and placed him under arrest for breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property.
Example 11
A staff member reported an unidentified male failed to check in with the attendant when entering the Blodgett Pool. When officers arrived the individual was found to be wandering around the lockeroom. When question by officers, the individual stated that he was going swimming in the pool. Upon, further investigation, it was determined that the individual was not in possession of swimming attire and had no authorization to be inside the restricted area. The male was placed under arrest for trespassing and attempt to commit a crime.
These examples demonstrate the positive results that can occur when community members who observe suspicious activity call the HUPD immediately. By being vigilant and looking out for each other, students, faculty, and staff can assist the HUPD in keeping the University safe and secure. The small inconvenience of calling the HUPD is far outweighed by the benefit of removing someone who doesn’t belong in a building and is there to take someone’s property.
