| SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS, IMPERSONATION, AND FRAUD
Several incidents reported from the campus area recently, involving suspicious behavior or fraudulent impersonation:
Car follows female pedestrian: A female University of Oregon student reported that very late Saturday night May 14, she was followed while walking east on 13th Avenue by an unknown man driving a newer, silver hatchback car of unknown make and model. On 13th near Ferry Street, the driver hailed the woman and offered her a ride, asked if she was OK, and said he was a security guard. He did not identify himself nor have any uniform or marked vehicle. He eventually drove away and she continued on safely. She found the interaction strange, and wanted people in the area to be aware. She described him as white, between 25-30 years old, with brown hair and a full beard, medium build, wearing dark clothes.
Police impersonator: Eugene Police passed on a report of a man impersonating a police officer as part of a scam attempt. On May 13, a man living near campus reported that he received a call insisting that he go meet a police officer or be arrested. The man went outside and met a man who claimed to be a police officer who said that the man would be arrested if he didn’t purchase some gift cards. The man described the impersonator as in his 30s, about 6 feet tall, with a fit build, possibly of Middle Eastern ethnicity, with a thick accent, and wearing a gray shirt.
“Masked person” on or near campus: A young man has recently at times walked near campus wearing a white full-face mask, in the style seen in the movie “V for Vendetta” (alternatively known as a “Guy Fawkes” mask or “anonymous” mask). He has at times also carried a toy or replica pistol. He has been contacted multiple times by both Eugene and University of Oregon law enforcement.
This person’s identity is known to law enforcement and the university. He has not been reported to have made any verbal or physical threats. He has not reportedly brandished the replica or menaced anyone. It is legal to wear a mask and to carry a replica pistol, despite the fact that those behaviors may make some people understandably uncomfortable. Police may legally approach people and engage them in conversation, and inquire about their well-being when they behave in concerning ways. But police may not cite or apprehend people who are not allegedly violating the law. If anyone is actively threatened with violence, or sees a crime of violence, please immediately call 9-1-1 and provide all available information.
Fraudulent calls: all local law enforcement have taken many reports of fraudulent phone calls attempting to extort money. These calls will often have spoofed phone numbers that appear on caller ID to be related to 9-1-1, local police, the IRS, or other official agencies. Callers will typically threaten that the recipient will be arrested, deported, removed from the university, audited, etc., unless money is immediately provided.
Off-campus assault: A group of male UO students reported to Eugene Police that they were assaulted by another group of males, allegedly from northern California, very early Sunday, May 15, near 19th Avenue and Hilyard Street. Eugene Police are investigating.
SECURITY TIPS FROM UOPD
- No action or inaction by crime survivors makes those people responsible for their victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects. The following suggestions may help reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime, or may improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance.
- To report suspicious, illegal or unusual activity on campus, call UOPD at 541-346-2919. For emergencies or if you see a crime being committed, call 9-1-1. Please report concerns or crimes right away.
- If someone claims to be with law enforcement, but does not have a visible and identifiable uniform, badge, marked vehicle, etc., ask for identification. Contact the agency the person claims to represent, and ask a dispatcher if the person is with that agency and supposed to be in that area. If the person is not really with law enforcement, get to a safe place and report it to 9-1-1 or the legitimate agency you’re talking to.
- Real police, university, or government agencies will never call and demand money over the phone. If you receive this type of call, or if you are unsure if it is a fraud, report it to police and describe what the caller has told you. Do not provide money. Do not agree to meet the callers or their accomplices.
- Encourage friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas. Be aware of surroundings, and attempt to keep a safe distance from strangers. Whenever possible, keep valuables secured and out of sight.
- Use UO Safe Ride (541-346-RIDE ext. 2), call a taxicab, or contact UOPD for an on-campus escort (541-346-2919).
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME
- Call 541-346-SAFE at any time or visit uodos.
- For students, personal counseling and other support services are available through the University Counseling and Testing Center, 541-346-3227 (available 24 hours); counseling.uoregon.edu/dnn.
- For students, medical and sexual assault examination services are available at University Health Center, 541-346-2770; healthcenter.uoregon.edu.
- For employees, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, 541-346-3123, and Office of Human Resources, 541-346-3159, can assist in connecting to resources.
- Other community resources available are Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), 541-343-7277 (24 hour crisis line) or 541-484-9791, Womenspace, 541-485-8232 or 541-485-6513 (24 hour crisis line), and White Bird Clinic Counseling, 541-342-8255 541-687-4000 (24 hour crisis line).
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