Students venturing out into the city to explore their new surroundings should remain cautious, Boston University Police officials warned this week. The past several months have brought reports of sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults this summer, including some in the Brighton and Brookline areas.
Seeing wanted posters or hearing nightmarish reports of these attacks, students may feel they have more to fear this September than in previous years, but that is not the case, according to Boston University Police Department Detectives Patrick Nuzzi and John Ryan.
Although talk of sexual assault is currently in sharp focus, BUPD statistics show burglaries far outrank crimes of a sexual nature. In the year 2000 at BU, there were 63 reported burglaries, 9 sexual offenses and 4 aggravated assaults.
To protect oneself both on and off campus, “be aware of what’s going on and use your common sense,” advised Nuzzi.
“Eliminate crimes of opportunity by not walking in the dark alone or walking home intoxicated,” Ryan added.
Nuzzi agreed, recommending the buddy system.
“This guy doesn’t want to be caught. If you’re walking with at least one other person, it’s doubtful you’d be approached,” Nuzzi said.
The best way for a female to protect herself is to take a Rape Aggression Defense course, the detectives said.
“Pepper spray is great, but can be used against you as well. If they spray you, you’re assisting yourself in being assaulted. Self-defense will never be defective,” Nuzzi said.
The RAD course, available through BU and the City of Boston, teaches self-defense and simulates assaults to prepare women against potential attackers.
BUPD is also involved in BASIN, the Boston Area Sexual Investigation Network. This intelligence exchange allows many departments to keep abreast of all issues in the metropolitan area.
The Brighton suspect, the detectives said, is described as a white Hispanic male between 5’6″ and 5’8″, driving a silver or white Nissan, Honda or Toyota. All of his victims were alone and approached from behind between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The attacks have all occurred close to the Newton-Boston city line, an area less frequented by BU students. Although no incidents have occurred at BU, the BUPD is working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police and the Massachusetts State police, as well as Boston, Newton and Brookline police in catching the Brighton suspect.
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