Last week's rape of a 21-year-old Towson University student at the Fairways apartment complex, and the report of a sexual assault in Scarborough Hall over the weekend, has focused attention across campus on preventive measures and safety precautions. On the morning of Feb. 15, a suspect entered an apartment on Airlie Way and sexually assaulted and raped the woman, who was asleep in her bedroom at the time of the assault.
Baltimore County Police Spokesman Bill Toohey said the case is still open, and described it as an "active investigation." Police have not released a description of the suspect. Meanwhile, Baltimore County Police detectives are investigating a second-degree sexual offense that allegedly took place on campus early Friday morning.
A female student said she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance in Scarborough Hall.
"The county police are still investigating the case," Towson University Police Department Lt. Joe Herring said Wednesday afternoon. "They haven't made a final determination on anything."
Baltimore County takes the lead in investigating first and second-degree sexual offenses on campus, with the support of the TUPD.
Following last week's off-campus rape, the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs posted a "Personal Safety Reminder" on the University's Daily Digest.
"At a time like this, we are reminded of the importance of taking particular precautions in managing our own personal safety and reducing our risks," the message said. It offered several tips: "Be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts...always keep your home and car doors locked, never let anyone in who you do not know well into your building, [and] always make sure you know who is at the door before you open it." The message also said students should consider taking a self-defense course.
TUPD Administrative Assistant Jean Comer helps teach Rape Aggression Defense courses for Towson students, faculty, staff, and community members several times a year. The course teaches ways for females to be aware of their surroundings and practice personal safety.
"We teach certain moves and physical defenses that may be used in an attack," Comer said.
The four-week course will be offered again in April.
Lt. Randy Guraleczka, assistant commander for the Towson precinct, said apartment residents should take steps to secure their doors and windows.
"Especially if you live on a ground-floor apartment, make sure you take extra steps to secure sliding glass doors," Guraleczka said.
Something as simple as a Charley-Bar or piece of wood at the bottom of the door's track could help deter a criminal from entering a residence, he explained.
Last week's crime was not the first rape of a Towson University student at a local apartment complex.
Police were called to Greenview Terrace the morning of May 27, 2004, after a 20-year-old female student was raped inside her apartment at the Valley View Apartments south of campus.
Baltimore County Police and the Towson University Police conducted searches of the campus and the surrounding vicinity following the report, but the suspect was not found.
"The suspect has been described as a male, unknown race, possibly college age, short to medium height, medium build, and possibly armed with a knife," a Towson University crime alert stated at the time.
After nine months, the suspect has not been caught, and the case is still open, Toohey said.
"Report any suspicious activity, no matter how minor it might seem," Guraleczka said. People with information about any of the cases should call Baltimore County Police at (410) 307-2020.
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