Campus Safety Concerns Rise Amid Multiple Incidents in March

As the academic year progressed, multiple incidents reported on the George Washington University campus in March highlighted concerns about student and staff safety. The GW Hatchet reported a cluster of cases, including theft, harassment, and assault, which have officials working to ensure a secure environment.

Key Takeaways:

• The GW Police Department (GWPD) received reports of six incidents in March, including theft, harassment, and assault.
• On March 28, a female contractor reported being verbally harassed by a male staff member in the University Student Center.
• A female staff member reported being sexually assaulted in the Ross Hall courtyard on the same day.
• GWPD officers issued a bar notice and escorted an unknown male subject off University property on March 29 after finding him sleeping in the Strong Hall lobby.
• Multiple theft incidents were reported, including a student's AirPods stolen from a classroom and a jacket stolen from a residence hall.
• A male student reported his bicycle stolen from the University Yard.

Statistics:

• 6 incidents were reported in March, involving theft, harassment, and assault.
• 4 of the incidents involved theft, including the AirPods and jacket reported stolen.
• 2 incidents involved harassment and/or assault, including the verbal harassment and sexual assault reported on March 28.
• The GWPD received 4 reports of theft from buildings, and 2 reports of theft from the University Yard.

Sources:

• "Campus Safety Concerns Rise Amid Multiple Incidents in March" by Peyton Gallant, The Hatchet, April 3, 2023.