Public Safety Notice - Columbus

Dear Ohio State Community Member:

You are receiving this notice because a crime has occurred that is considered to be of a concern and/or a continuing threat to the campus community.

The purpose of this message is to heighten your safety awareness by providing community members with information necessary to take appropriate precautions, enable you to take actions to help increase your safety, and to aid in the prevention of similar crimes.

This notice does not mean there has been an increase in crime or that any specific crime pattern exists.

Public Safety Notice For: 
Campus Area, Academic Area
Date: 
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Alert Code: 
2016-10
The following crime occurred in the campus area
On 9/21/16, at 10:15 a.m., a female student reported she was fondled by an unknown male on the previous day. Reports indicate that on 9/20/16, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the female student was working on her computer on the second floor of the Ohio Union when she was approached by an unknown male who sat behind her and asked if he could charge his phone. Moments later, the suspect fondled her lower body. The student confronted the suspect and immediately left the area.
 
The suspect is described as a black male standing between 6’0” and 6’5” and weighing up to 200 lbs. He is described as being approximately 40-years-old with a black goatee and is said to have been wearing black and red high top shoes and earbuds at the time of the incident. University Police have increased patrols and are actively investigating. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 614-292-2121.
 
Becoming the victim of any crime is no one's fault. We remind you to increase your overall safety by being cautious and looking out for one another; being aware of your surroundings and looking assertive; walking with a trusted friend or co-worker, when possible; if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative. Please utilize transportation services, when possible, and take advantage of our additional safety resources, such as the Student Safety Service Safe Ride program: https://dps.osu.edu/safe-ride

Anyone with information concerning this crime should contact either the University Police, 614-292-2121 or Columbus Police, 614-645-4545. You may also report information anonymously to the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS or the University Crime Stoppers Tips line at 614-247-TIPS.

For information about safety on Ohio State's campus visit the following links:

For information about crime off campus, review the Columbus Police website at http://columbuspolice.org. Helpful links are listed as: Crime Information, Crime Prevention, Offense Reports, and Media Releases.

This Public Safety Notice is issued in compliance with the "Timely Warning" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998. 34 CFR 668.46(e)