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Text of E-Mail Alert Sent to Students

August 14, 1997

To: Registered Undergraduates and Graduate, Professional & Special Students Eligible to Register

Since early April, there have been a number of burglaries and sexual assaults which have occurred in predominantly student housing areas west of the Capitol. In almost all cases, the suspect has entered the victim’s residence through an unlocked door or open window. The UW–Madison Police Department, in a cooperative effort with the Madison Police Department, urges all students to take precautionary measures designed to prevent victimization.

  • When opening windows to allow for ventilation, make sure the window is blocked and/or locked to prevent entry through the opening.
  • Always lock your doors, especially when you are inside your residence.
  • Utilize outdoor lighting whenever and wherever possible.
  • Report suspicious persons immediately to the police.
  • Consider the use of a personal panic alarm device (noisemaker) to scare off intruders.
  • CALL 9-1-1 in case of any emergency.

By Madison City Ordinance, landlords are required to provide the following safety features for your apartment or home:

  1. Public halls and stairways in buildings with more than one apartment must be adequately lit.
  2. The main entrance door to an apartment must have a peep hole.
  3. Basement, 1st and 2nd story windows must have both regular and window ventilating locks.
  4. All doors to each dwelling unit must be equipped with a keyed deadbolt.

If you discover that your apartment lacks any of these features, notify your landlord immediately and ask them to repair these items. If they do not repair them within a reasonable amount of time, call the Madison Building Inspection unit at 266-4551. If you have additional questions or concerns, contact the Tenant Resource Center at 257-0006.

Victims of these crimes have provided the following descriptions: Black male, 5’6″ to 6’1″, medium to strong build, early 20’s to mid-30’s. Some descriptions have indicated the suspect has short hair and is wearing a ball cap.

Anyone having other information on these or any other crimes is urged to call Madison Area Crimestoppers at 266-6014.

Crime prevention suggestions and information can always be obtained by contacting the Madison Police Department Crime Prevention unit at 266-4238 or the UW–Madison unit at either 262-3062 or 262-4889.