Warning for women walking on UBC campus
Posted October 9, 2010 12:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Police are encouraging women to be careful and not walk alone at night on the UBC Campus. The warning comes after two women were groped over the past month while walking alone at the university.
Both incidents happened after midnight.
Mounties are still looking for two different suspects and Sergeant Peter Thiessen says women need to be using caution. “Try not to walk alone if at all possible. If you are walking alone in unlit or more secluded areas make sure you have a cell phone.”
UBC students who walk alone say they might make some changes to their routine. One student News1130 spoke with says she’ll be more cautious and will always walk with a buddy from now on.
Bijan Ahmadian with UBC’s Safewalk program says students can get home safely at any time. “If after hours, which is when Safewalk closes at 2 a.m., they still feel unsafe, and they need help; they should call campus security and request a ride.”
In light of the warning he says Safewalk may add extra resources to meet demand.
Security patrols on campus are also being stepped up. Police are not linking the gropings to the death of Wendy Ladner-Beaudry who was killed in Pacific Spirit Park in April of 2009.
The suspect from Thursday’s incident is described as white, about 30-35 years old, 5’11”, with dark hair and eyes. He was wearing dark blue jeans, a dark windbreaker and a dark ball cap.
Anyone with information about either case is asked to call the University RCMP at 604.224.1322 or Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.
