Message regarding campus safety

by Ginger Ambler | August 9, 2011

Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler sent the following message to the campus community on Aug. 9, 2011 - Ed.

To Members of the Campus Community,

This morning I learned from the W&M Police that one of our graduate students has been the victim of an attempted robbery near the corner of Brooks Street and Compton Drive (the corner near the Student Recreation Center). The student was walking along the road at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday when a large, dark-colored car pulled up beside him. According to the police report, a passenger in the vehicle demanded that the student surrender his wallet. After repeating the demand several times, the car then pulled away. The make and model of the vehicle are not known, but the suspects in the car have been described as four black males – two in the front seat appeared to be around 30 years old, and two in the back seat appeared to be teenagers. Thankfully, there were no weapons involved in the incident, the robbery attempt failed, and our student is unharmed. If you have information that may assist in the investigation of this incident please notify the William and Mary Police at 221-4596.

We think of the Williamsburg area as a safe place, and relatively speaking, it is. What happened yesterday is an unfortunate reminder, however, that even here crimes can and do occur. There may be nothing we can do to fully insulate ourselves from the reality of crime in our world. At the same time, it is helpful to remember that there are measures we can and should take to increase our level of personal safety. Whenever possible, it is wise to travel with others, particularly after dark. And, as the student in this case did, call the police immediately if something happens to you or if you see suspicious activity -- on campus or off, use 911.

I know you share my sense of relief that, as frightening as this experience must have been, our student was not harmed. With the start of the new academic year so close at hand, let us continue to watch out for one another.

Ginger Ambler