What is this notice? UOPD Safety/Security Advisories are released by the University of Oregon Police Department when certain crimes are reported on or near campus property, or when security trends or concerns arise. These notices provide information about campus safety situations, and allow campus community members to take precautions for personal safety. These incidents occurred off campus, but were serious crimes close to the university and are being shared with students and employees. All crimes should be reported as soon as possible to local law enforcement.
The University of Oregon Police Department obtained information on Monday, March 19, about two serious crimes involving UO students that had occurred recently in near-campus neighborhoods within the jurisdiction of Eugene Police. The incidents were not previously shared with the UO by Eugene Police.
In one incident, a University of Oregon student reported to Eugene Police that he was abducted and sexually assaulted Saturday evening, March 17, in a non-campus city area in the vicinity of 19th Avenue and Agate Street.
The survivor reported the same evening of the alleged incident to EPD. Upon receiving the information March 19, the UO offered support resources to the survivor and is sharing the information with the campus community.
The survivor told police that he was off campus on 19th Avenue, walking east to Tom’s Market at the corner of 19th and Agate, when he was grabbed from behind by an unknown man, restrained, dragged to a car, driven to a nearby unknown location, taken from the car, sexually assaulted, and then the suspect fled on foot. He described his assailant as a white male, 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4, with a thin but muscular build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black Ray Bans sunglasses, black beanie-style hat, a black bandana over the lower part of his face, and black pants. There is no description available for the other suspect/driver or the suspect vehicle at this time.
The crime is now being investigated by UO Police; anyone with information about the incident should contact UOPD at 541-346-2919.
In the other incident, a UO student reported that on March 15 at 12:30 p.m., walking off campus on 15th Avenue between Alder and Kincaid streets, she was approached by three unknown men, speaking to each other in Spanish. One man grabbed her hair and pushed her up against a car while the other two men pulled out knives and tried to cut the straps from her backpack. She was able to take out her phone and told the men she had called the police, and the men fled in three separate directions on foot. She said the men did not menace her with the knives.
She described the first man as a white, around 25, about 6-feet tall with a lean build, blond collar-length hair, clean shaven, brown or hazel eyes, no glasses, wearing a red Columbia brand jacket and an Oregon baseball cap. She described the second man as Hispanic, 28-30 years old, about 280 pounds, short black hair, clean shaven, wearing a blue striped shirt, and using a fixed-blade knife with a six-inch smooth-edged blade, with blue electrical tape on the handle. She described the third man as Hispanic, 28-30 years old, taller than 6-feet, medium build, dark black hair in a short pony tail, clean shaven, brown eyes, wearing a white tank top, and using a pocket knife.
The student reports notifying the Eugene Police right after the crime occurred.
Updates regarding these incidents, when and if available, will be posted on the UOPD website at police.uoregon.edu. Campus crimes and safety concerns can always be reported to UOPD, 24 hours per day, at 541-346-2919.
Crimes that impact students are a serious concern to the University of Oregon and everyone in the campus community. Here are some recent steps taken to address off-campus safety:
UOPD has contracted with private security to provide four unarmed (non-sworn) security officers to patrol city streets near campus until further notice.
UOPD has added extra officers dedicated to patrolling city streets near campus. UOPD is working with the Oregon Department of Justice to install neighborhood cameras early this week. Eugene Police have extra officers in the area evenings and overnight.
The UO Campus Shuttle has expanded its hours and is running 5 p.m.-1 a.m. daily. A 25-person bus has been added to the shuttle fleet to boost capacity.
The UO is developing a security plan to help students get safely to early-morning airport shuttle stops on campus, for departing Eugene for spring break.
CAMPUS SAFETY TIPS FROM UOPD
No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects. The following suggestions may help reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime, or may improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance.
Students are encouraged to use UO Safe Ride (541-346-RIDE ext. 2) or Designated Driver Shuttle (541-346-RIDE ext. 1), or the UO Campus Shuttle (map.uoregon.edu/campus-shuttle), call a taxicab, or contact UOPD for an on-campus escort (541-346-2919).
It is a crime to intentionally touch someone against his or her will, regardless of the situation.
Bystanders should try to be aware of their surroundings, and if there are signs of a person in distress, bystanders should make themselves known and offer assistance if it is safe to do so, and/or seek immediate help from police or security personnel.
Every person and situation is different; survivors must decide for themselves what actions or responses are safest in any situation. If someone attempts to touch you against your will, you have the right to yell “NO” loudly, or do whatever is necessary to get the person to let go, and flee to a safe place and seek help. When safe, try to remember as much as possible about the person’s appearance and behavior. Regardless of what happens during an incident, you have the right to report the crime and to receive services and accommodations.
Assaults by strangers are far less common than assaults by people known to survivors. Self-defense classes can prepare people to deter or escape an assault, and have benefits for improved awareness and confidence. Credit courses are available from the Physical Education department under the “PEMA” subject code (http://uocatalog.uoregon.edu/pe_rec/#courseinventory) and from UOPD and SAPP (http://police.uoregon.edu/content/self-defense).
Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 9-1-1, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME
Survivors have a right to report crimes to police and have crimes investigated and/or prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.
Call 541-346-SAFE at any time or visit safe.uoregon.edu to learn about options and resources.
For students, a range of support services are available through the Office of the Dean of Students, 541-346-3216; uodos@uoregon.edu.
For students, personal counseling and other support services are available through the University Counseling and Testing Center, 541-346-3227 (available 24 hours); counseling.uoregon.edu/dnn.
For students, medical and sexual assault examination services are available at University Health Center, 541-346-2770; healthcenter.uoregon.edu.
For employees, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, 541-346-3123, and Office of Human Resources, 541-346-3159, can assist in connecting to resources.
Other community resources available are Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), 541-343-7277 (24 hour crisis line) or 541-484-9791, Womenspace, 541-485-8232 or 541-485-6513 (24 hour crisis line), and White Bird Clinic Counseling, 541-342-8255 541-687-4000 (24 hour crisis line).