OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford

OBSERVER Staff Report

University Police at SUNY Fredonia issued a message regarding student safety to the campus community after two assaults took place early Monday morning.

Brent S. Isaacson, University Police chief, in a message to the campus community said the incidents occurred at 12:30 and 1:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Ring Road and Park Drive and “were similar in that the male suspect approached the victims and assaulted them, attempting to remove their clothing.” In both cases, Isaacson said, the victims fought off the attacker and were not physically injured.

Police said the subject was described as a light-skinned African-American, college aged or slightly older, 5-foot-7 with a stocky build wearing a red hoodie with the hood pulled up and gray sweatpants. Officials did not believe he was part of the campus community.

“SUNY Fredonia is a safe campus,” said Jeff Woodard, university spokesman. “We have 300 security cameras, 30 blue light phones, a safety app students can download on their phones, and an accredited University Police Department, which is now working with local law enforcement agencies to resolve this situation.”

Both incidents led to an online petition drive, signed by 1,400 students as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, to “Keep Fredonia Students Safe: Allow students to park in lots outside residence halls.” On the front page of the petition it notes “temporarily changing the campus parking regulations is a small step toward fixing the issue, but would be the best step to take, in our opinion.”

Anyone with information on these incidents should call police at 673-3333.