Students assaulted near Feve and Oberlin Inn

Mailing sent about first assault only

Two assaults involving groups of students and Oberlin residents occurred this week.

One, behind the Oberlin Inn, was the subject of an all-campus mailing, but the second assault, which occurred on East College St. and ended by the Feve, was not.

Director of Safety and Security Keith James said that no all-campus mailing about the second assault was sent out because it occurred in an area that is clearly off campus.

"I don't want to get into the habit of sending out a mailing [about everything that happens off campus]," James said.

According to Capt. Tom Miller of the Oberlin Police, Wednesday night at 10:32 p.m. five students were verbally harassed by a group of Oberlin residents driving on East College St. Two males and two females got out of the car and began a fight with the students.

Two arrests in this incident have since been made. "Those responsible have been charged," Miller said.

Last Saturday at around 2:08 a.m. several students were assaulted behind the Inn. According to Director of Safety and Security Keith James, four students, a female and three males, were returning from a party. A male outside the Inn who was accompanied by two females and two other males bumped into one of the male students. An argument followed, and the three non-College males assaulted the two male students. The female student attempted to intervene, and was punched in the face. When one of the male student victims tried to prevent the female student from getting further involved, he was assaulted again.

One of the assaulters was positively identified and later arrested.

The students were treated at Allen Memorial Hospital for injuries.

James said that in informing students about assaults he "wouldn't want to create a panic situation. [Students] are probably more enlightened individuals in light of what happened."

James said, "We're doing some things. We're not overreacting, but responding."

James said Security is working to develop a better relationship with the Inn so that it can be better informed when the Inn haves larger parties.

He said Security will also continue to work with Oberlin Police and discuss how they can more strategically patrol areas on the periphery of campus. "We'll continue to hone that relationship and encourage them to continue to do that," James said.

Miller said, "We concentrate patrols where we think there's going to be a lot of pedestrian traffic."

James said that the Security patrol schedule will also be reviewed.

James pointed to recent improvements in on-campus safety measures, citing the new shuttle system and the emergency phones. He said that the soon-to-be-hired assistant director will also help by beginning a campus safety and awareness program.