Robberies cause disruption of off-campus activity

E-mails sent to Lehigh students from Chief Ed Shupp:

December 2, 2010

Two Lehigh students were victims of armed robberies, in separate incidents, around 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 2nd. The robberies took place in the area of Packer and Montclair streets.  In both instances, a weapon was displayed by the two male assailants, and victims were asked to relinquish valuables such as cell phones and cash.  The victims were not harmed.

December 6, 2010

Recent criminal activity -- specifically several armed robberies in the
area of Packer Avenue and Montclair Street -- have left many members of the
campus community understandably concerned.

After talking over with the president and provost, certain measures will be implemented on campus.  These measures will include:

1. Adding foot patrols and police cars to off-campus areas.

2. Expanding TRACS routes.

3.  Imploring security cameras   

4.  LUPD is working with Bethlehem Police Department.

December 10, 2010

E-mail 1:

At approximately 2:25 a.m. Friday, December 10th, a female Lehigh undergraduate student was the victim of a strong-arm robbery after she was approached by one individual with three accomplices standing nearby.   

Personal property was taken.  The victim sustained minor injuries in the robbery, and was treated for the injuries.

E-mail 2:

The incident involving a female student at approximately 2:30 am Friday, Dec. 10th took place in the area of Pierce Street.

E-mail 3:

In a press conference held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10th, Bethlehem Police Chief Stu Bedics announced the arrests of the individuals responsible for several recent off-campus robberies. The four suspects - an 18 year old male, a 15 year old male, a 13 year old male and a 13 year old female – are believed to be involved with gang activity, Bedics said.

Two of the suspects have been charged with criminal conspiracy, robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment and simple assault.  The 18 year old will be incarcerated in Northampton County Prison, and the remaining suspects will be retained in juvenile facilities.

The arrests came as the result of information determined during the police investigation following the strong-arm robbery of a female Lehigh student at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10th, in the Pierce Street area.

How are we supposed to feel safe?

My boyfriend lives off campus, and I am now afraid of walking to his house alone at night.  He literally lives a block off-campus.  But I am still afraid to walk down from the Hill by myself.

This is unacceptable; I should feel safe at my college.  I don’t like that I have to call a cop to walk me home from the library.  I don’t like that I feel afraid to walk from East Fifth to Pantry One.

There has been an on-going battle between the citizens of Bethlehem and Lehigh students.  This Brown and White article outlines the views of the public in this article. http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/cdm4/bw2_viewer.php?DMTHUMB=&search=0&ptr=39249&CISOPTR=39243

The Brown and White reporter shows Lehigh students that some of that “townie” hate is reciprocated to the “stuck up preppies”.

The story discusses the public view on how they are unable to walk up to the lookout point next to ATO, use the gym and library, and generally around campus.  One even speaks out against the LUPD because a cop chased her off campus and told her to get off private property.   She comments on the cop attitude also.

New flash: Lehigh IS private property.  It’s worth $50,000 plus some, multiplied by the 5,000 students who pay that amount.  I don’t like going to the gym and getting hit on by the “townies” that sneak in.  I don’t like being afraid to go the library late at night because some drunk Puerto Rican from South side wanted to be funny and run around.  I don’t like having to carry a miniature pepper spray I had to ask my dad to buy.

I was considering living off-campus next year but now, why should I when the robberies were right down the street?  I’m afraid to walk around there just going to a friend’s house, how can I leave a house that is right next to the scene of the crime without being terrified?

Last night, I was walking off-campus in a group a friends and I was happy to see a LUPD foot patrol walk by.  The extra cops do help but I still feel like I should feel safe walking around without the foot patrols.

Here are some published works from The Brown and White that covers the relationship between Lehigh’s community and Bethlehem’s community:

Letter to the editor

http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/cdm4/bw2_viewer.php?DMTHUMB=&ptr=56546&CISOPTR=56542&search=bethlehem%20snobby%20rich%20kids_0_00000000-99999999

Off-campus safety

http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/cdm4/bw2_viewer.php?DMTHUMB=&ptr=51040&CISOPTR=51020&search=bethlehem%20off-campus%20dangerous_0_19970000-20009999

Four students robbed in their house

http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2010/10/29/News/Four-Students.Robbed.Off.Campus-3951087.shtml

Editorial: Taking Precautions

http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2010/12/10/Opinion/Editorial.Taking.Precautions-3966464.shtml

Gay Abuse Turns to Suicide

I am an active member in Spectrum, the gay-straight alliance, and Greek Allies, an educational Greek program on LGBT issues.  I have heard countless stories of LGBT members being abused and I’m sick of it.  If a brother comes out and a fraternity turns their back on them, the school does nothing.  I know a member who had to move out of his own fraternity house because of the discomfort he felt after coming out to another member.

A close friend of mine just came out to me and she was unable to go home for Thanksgiving because the critique she endured when coming out to her parents.  Instead she stayed at her cousin’s house and had to deal with ridicule from her once close family.

There are many other incidents that happened on other college campuses.  Some of these led the student to commit suicide.  Here are some examples:

1. This is the most famous, the Rutgers sex webcast. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20018006-504083.html

2. This article discusses a youth in Michigan that committed suicide and it also outlines that most recent suicides.  http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/lenox-second-city/2010/11/yet-another-gay-teen-suicide-this-time-in-michigan.html

Lehigh needs to realize: There is nothing wrong with anyone who is a part of the LGBT community.  Stop the ridicule and using the word “gay” negatively.  It affects the whole campus, whether you notice or not.  It can also cause a LGBT member to be serious about committing suicide.  Don’t let this happen to your friends or your fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters.

Steven Chapman, Chicago Tribune columnist, discusses his own homophobia and how he gets over it in this article.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-chapman-dupe,0,2745886.column

Here is an article about gender on Facebook.  Many transgender people struggle with putting male or female up, especially if they are trying to hide their identity.  http://www.torontosun.com/life/2010/12/03/16416036.html

If you have a friend in need, please consult help on campus.  In the UC there is the rainbow room as well as the LGBT Services Director.  Also look at this link brush up on warning signs of suicide. http://www.gloucestertimes.com/lifestyle/x552967241/Profile-of-teen-suicide-Warning-signs-there-could-be-a-problem

College Kids Go Too Loko for Four Loko: Put in hospital for internal bleeding

Last week I received an e-mail warning me of the dangers four lokos pose.  In that e-mail this student voiced a story of his friend during the Lehigh-Lafayette game:

"I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred this weekend during the Lehigh/Lafayette tailgates. On Saturday morning, my good friend, weighing 145 pounds, consumed four Four Lokos prior to 0930. At 1030, he started to throw up black vomit, an indication that he was experiencing internal bleeding. By 1045, he collapsed in the field, and was rushed to the hospital. He was placed on a ventilator, and remained unconscious in the ICU until 1200 on Sunday. Fortunately, he is now stable, and will be released from the hospital tomorrow. He currently has some internal organ damage, and a case of pneumonia, resulting from asphyxiation when he choked on his vomit."

After reading this and researching through google, I found the popular drink Four Loko will no longer contain caffeine, because the ban of Food and Drug Administration.

Here are two articles from San Diego and Wisconsin that outline why the ban happened and how college students were involved:

San Diego- http://www.thedailyaztec.com/news/fda-demands-four-loko-lose-its-buzz-1.2417321

Washington-  http://www.royalpurplenews.com/news/four-loko-joose-might-be-outlawed-1.1813977

Through more research I found that a Four Loko is equivalent to a Monster energy drink, melted Jolly Ranchers, generic caffeine tablets, and topped off with a 40 and some sprite. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTqSs9TO9tI

That’s an extreme amount of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol.  Students need to realize the dangers of these kinds of drinks.  Pre-gaming with these drinks will cause you to black out and get sick.

I advise you to be cautionary when drinking Four Lokos and going out to social events in general.