2008 Woodie Awards
Armed Robbery at Dulaney Valley Apartments
Johanna Goldberg
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: News
On Sept. 24 at 9:15 p.m., a post-baccalaureate student was the victim of an armed robbery near her apartment in the Dulaney Valley complex. The student's purse was stolen, but she remained unharmed.
The suspect has not yet been apprehended, although Baltimore County police searched the area with the help of the K-9 patrol and helicopter surveillance.
"The incident is unusual for Towson and for the area as a whole," said Kristen Ensey, property manager at the Dulaney Valley Apartments. "Even if we had security 24/7, we'd still run the risk of crime. There's not much more we can do."
While there have been incidents of armed robbery at the apartments before, this is the first time since Goucher began housing students there that such an incident occurred, said Veto Mentzell, Goucher's security director.
"It's something that happens no matter where you are," said Ensey. "You have to be cautious, but even if [the victim] had an escort, the same thing probably would have happened. It's an unusual occurrence and its unfortunate, but things occur."
According to Mentzell, county police are now checking to see if the incident is connected to similar crimes in other areas of the county.
The area is patrolled both by Goucher security guards, who visit the apartment complex seven to eight times per day, and by guards hired by the apartment complex, who are on duty Thursdays through Saturdays from 11PM.- 3AM.
There is also increased security in the apartment buildings rented by Goucher's Office of Residence; per the office's request, the front doors on these buildings are kept locked.
Students on the whole do not seem nervous about living in the complex.
Kevin Vyfhuis, '05, a resident assistant at the apartments, said, "From what I have heard from some residents, it was a scare but I don't think they believe that the incident is one that would reoccur often. I think it was just a wake-up call that those sort of incidents can happen anywhere at anytime."
Junior Casey Mullen agreed. "I've thought more about safety," he said. "I've felt that Baltimore is an unsafe city before, but I considered Towson to be more isolated and affluent. But if someone is looking for a fat wallet, why not go to the richest part of town?"
Mullen still feels secure living at the apartments, although he admitted that the feeling might be due to his gender.
While Cary Thomas, '05 has felt more concerned for her safety, she has not altered her routine. "I've thought about changing my habits, usually when I'm walking back from the library around midnight, and it's really spooky," she said. "Then I wish that someone else was walking back from the library with me. But really I don't feel that unsafe that I need to rearrange my schedule."
On the whole, Goucher is a secure campus. "Compared to crime statistics of the area as a whole, Goucher is much safer," said Mentzell. He reported that the number of incidents on campus this year has been similar to last year, with a slightly higher number of reports of substance abuse. There have also been several thefts of laptops from the academic buildings.
While the community as a whole does inform security of suspicious activities, Mentzell would like to see people report such incidents earlier. In addition, he would like people watch out for their personal safety.
In a campus-wide e-mail, Mentzell highlighted some safety tips from the National Crime Prevention Council. The Council advises people to stay alert and aware of their instincts, to give up property and personal items rather than risk personal harm, to keep purses and wallets close to one's body. These and other tips for crime prevention are available at their website.
If you have any information regarding the armed robbery, contact the Office of Public Safety at 410-337-6112 or the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-2361.
The suspect has not yet been apprehended, although Baltimore County police searched the area with the help of the K-9 patrol and helicopter surveillance.
"The incident is unusual for Towson and for the area as a whole," said Kristen Ensey, property manager at the Dulaney Valley Apartments. "Even if we had security 24/7, we'd still run the risk of crime. There's not much more we can do."
While there have been incidents of armed robbery at the apartments before, this is the first time since Goucher began housing students there that such an incident occurred, said Veto Mentzell, Goucher's security director.
"It's something that happens no matter where you are," said Ensey. "You have to be cautious, but even if [the victim] had an escort, the same thing probably would have happened. It's an unusual occurrence and its unfortunate, but things occur."
According to Mentzell, county police are now checking to see if the incident is connected to similar crimes in other areas of the county.
The area is patrolled both by Goucher security guards, who visit the apartment complex seven to eight times per day, and by guards hired by the apartment complex, who are on duty Thursdays through Saturdays from 11PM.- 3AM.
There is also increased security in the apartment buildings rented by Goucher's Office of Residence; per the office's request, the front doors on these buildings are kept locked.
Students on the whole do not seem nervous about living in the complex.
Kevin Vyfhuis, '05, a resident assistant at the apartments, said, "From what I have heard from some residents, it was a scare but I don't think they believe that the incident is one that would reoccur often. I think it was just a wake-up call that those sort of incidents can happen anywhere at anytime."
Junior Casey Mullen agreed. "I've thought more about safety," he said. "I've felt that Baltimore is an unsafe city before, but I considered Towson to be more isolated and affluent. But if someone is looking for a fat wallet, why not go to the richest part of town?"
Mullen still feels secure living at the apartments, although he admitted that the feeling might be due to his gender.
While Cary Thomas, '05 has felt more concerned for her safety, she has not altered her routine. "I've thought about changing my habits, usually when I'm walking back from the library around midnight, and it's really spooky," she said. "Then I wish that someone else was walking back from the library with me. But really I don't feel that unsafe that I need to rearrange my schedule."
On the whole, Goucher is a secure campus. "Compared to crime statistics of the area as a whole, Goucher is much safer," said Mentzell. He reported that the number of incidents on campus this year has been similar to last year, with a slightly higher number of reports of substance abuse. There have also been several thefts of laptops from the academic buildings.
While the community as a whole does inform security of suspicious activities, Mentzell would like to see people report such incidents earlier. In addition, he would like people watch out for their personal safety.
In a campus-wide e-mail, Mentzell highlighted some safety tips from the National Crime Prevention Council. The Council advises people to stay alert and aware of their instincts, to give up property and personal items rather than risk personal harm, to keep purses and wallets close to one's body. These and other tips for crime prevention are available at their website.
If you have any information regarding the armed robbery, contact the Office of Public Safety at 410-337-6112 or the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-2361.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ben Farley
posted 2/08/07 @ 1:37 AM EST
Where is the description of the assailent? Why is it more politically correct for a criminal to remain unidentified commit an act of aggression than for us to describe him?
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