A man exposed himself and touched another person on in the USF St. Petersburg parking garage, according to a crime bulletin posted on Feb. 24 by the university’s police department.
Images produced by the garage’s security cameras helped investigators find the suspect, but the incident left students wondering if the campus is unsafe.
Chief David Hendry was named director of police services at USF St. Petersburg in 2013.
“We have identified the suspect and forwarded the case to the state attorney to review prosecution,” said Chief David Hendry of USFSP’s Police Department.
Despite the occurrence, the UPD’s Uniform Crime Report indicates a 28 percent decrease in crime from last year.
While police are on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, after a crime like this occurs, security is tightened.
Criminology student Rachel Erickson said that although she felt concerned after hearing about the incident, the consistent visibility of university police officers is comforting.
“I see more cops around the school, I see them patrolling the area more,” Erickson said. “Their presence is definitely known on campus and I think that makes people feel a bit safer.”
Hendry said the department increases patrols and security in the area, then notifies students, faculty and staff in the event of an incident.
Along with the noticeable security measures, Hendry said there are other, less obvious precautions.
“We’ve replaced the lighting in the garage. It’s now LED lighting, it’s much brighter,” he said. “That helps in terms of being able to see who’s around you and things like that. Other things we do on campus (include) trimming shrubs and making sure the lights are functioning and that keeps the physical space safe.”
UPD also offers to escort any student who feels unsafe.
“We’ll come and give you a ride to the garage or wherever on campus that you need to go,” Hendry said.
Hendry recommends that students add the UPD number to their cell phone contacts in case of an emergency, to report suspicious activity, or if they feel unsafe.
“I live right down the street so if I ever felt unsafe they would help me,” Erickson said. “Just knowing their office is right around the corner kind of helps.”
Hendry said he thinks the decrease in campus crime has to do with students reporting suspicious activity.
“This is a police department that’s here for the entire campus, and you should feel free to call each and every time, right then and there.”
Hendry suggests walking in pairs or groups and letting someone know that you’re leaving point A and going to point B.
“It’s not just the police department, it’s a community effort,” Hendry said. “That’s what we preach. If you see something, say something.”
USFSP Police Department can be contacted at (727) 873-4140 or police@usfsp.edu.
USFSP Police Chief David Hendry recommends taking these precautions:
- Be alert to your surroundings
- Lock your bike with a U-lock
- Lock your residence hall room
- Leave your purse in the trunk, not the front seat of your car
