Glen Polstvin
Contributor
The Oct. 23 robbery, which occurred around 10 p.m., took place on Library Lane near the Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies (HNES) building. The spot is a security risk due to poor lighting, according to a student-conducted safety audit released Oct. 3.
The safety audit, completed by students in the faculty of environmental studies, highlighted the areas around the HNES building that lack adequate security measures to protect students.
The audit suggested the university improve the building’s security prevention measures by installing more appropriate lighting, as well as by defining pathways, fixing broken lights and installing emergency phones outside the building.
Angela Clasadonte, a third-year political science student, agreed with the audit, noting there is not enough lighting in some campus areas.
“I think there should be more lighting. It is very dark at night on campus and I think we need more security at night in places that are not well lit.”
The female student who was robbed at the HNES building was walking with a friend while two male suspects allegedly snatched her purse and fled. Police are looking for two black males, both wearing black clothing and aged 17 to 18 years old.
Tinku Chowdary, a first-year business and society major, is concerned about walking around campus at night and is worried that York security isn’t prepared for the winter. “A lot of people have classes until 10 p.m. and at winter, it gets dark early, so [York] should increase security during wintertime,” said Chowdary.
The most recent incident occurred on Oct. 24 while a male student was walking near the Williams Small Centre and two males grabbed his cell phone and fleed the scene.
According to Toronto police, two suspects were located and later arrested and charged, but police will not release the suspects’ names. Police found a replica handgun on them.
According to York security, another student was allegedly assaulted and robbed by three male suspects Oct. 19. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on the lower floor of York’s Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) building. A York female community member was sitting on the bench by herself, with her Blackberry cell phone placed beside her. The three males allegedly shoved her, took her Blackberry and ran. Police are still looking for the suspects.
The victim described the males as black and wearing black jackets and baseball caps.
A male student was robbed of his cellphone Oct. 22 while he was waiting for the VIVA bus on the station near the Ontario Archives building. According to York security, the suspect is described as male, six-foot-two, approximately 20 to 25 years of age and wearing black sweatpants.
Toronto police and York security are still determining whether there are any connections between these incidents.
York security has advised students to be more aware of their surroundings and vigilant of people when talking on their cell phone or walking in isolated campus areas.
The Toronto police are looking for male suspects in relation to all the robberies that have occurred.
Please contact York Security Services at 416-736-5333, or Toronto police, Division 31 at 416-808-3100, if you have any information on these robberies.
