Update on Armed Robbery of UMBC Student

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 17:02:42 -0500

Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

I am writing to follow up on the campus alert sent earlier this week about the robbery of a student at knifepoint between Commons Drive and Administration Drive. This incident naturally creates anxiety, and I want to reassure you UMBC Police takes every incident seriously, and this crime is being fully investigated.

In instances such as this, UMBC Police works with our partners in Student Affairs, including Residential Life and Off-Campus Student Services, to ensure that students who have been the victims of crime are connected with any and all services they may need.

This type of incident is unusual for our campus. Armed robberies on our campus increased from zero in 2017 to three in 2018. While the number of robberies is relatively low, one crime is too many. We investigate all crime reports that we receive. As a result of the investigation into a robbery on campus in September 2018 involving an online sales transaction, we have identified a suspect and will be filing charges.

We are working to increase UMBC Police visibility on our campus, and our partners in Facilities Management have projects underway to improve lighting, including:

Installing new lighting on both sides of Commons Drive;

Installing new lighting on the inside of Hilltop Circle from the bus stop near Administration Drive to Hilltop Road; and

Installing new lighting in the area between Commons Drive and Administration Drive, where the incident occurred earlier this week.

Safety Tips:

UMBC Police provides an escort service for anyone who feels unsafe when walking on or near campus. If you would like an escort, please call 410-455-5555. If you observe suspicious activity or behavior, contact the police immediately by calling 410-455-5555.

The UMBC Counseling Center provides free confidential services for UMBC students. If you are in need of counseling services or would like to learn more about available services, please call 410-455-2472 or visit the Counseling Center’s website.

The UMBC Police Station is a safe trade location. If you are going to buy or sell items online and make face-to-face transactions, you can make a safe trade by meeting the individual(s) at the UMBC Police Station.

We encourage members of the UMBC community to keep themselves safe. However, please recognize that conduct violations and criminal acts are never the victim’s fault. UMBC students, faculty, staff members, or visitors who choose to violate relevant policies and laws are solely responsible for their actions. University authorities will make every effort to sanction individuals who violate those policies and laws.

Paul Dillon, UMBC Chief of Police