Assault raises safety concerns

A sexual assault on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus earlier this month has local law enforcement raising safety awareness.

The incident, which occurred on March 1 around 10:30 p.m. at the West Halls, resulted in a campus-wide e-mail from the University Police Department encouraging students to take precautions when traveling through campus at night.

"Always walk in pairs, never walk by yourself," Commerce Police Department Crime Prevention and Warrants Officer Alex Suarez said. "Always know where you're going and be aware of your surroundings. Always carry a whistle and if you are attacked, scream as loud as you can and run away if at all possible. Subjects like that don't want to draw attention to themselves."

University Police Department Crime Information Officer Jason Bone had similar advice.

"Pay attention to your surroundings because often times it's the simple things that avoid these incidents," he said. "Don't be an easy mark and don't take really dark shortcuts. It's best not to really walk through campus that late at night, and if you get attacked, scream bloody murder."

The attack has some West Hall residents concerned.

"I felt fine before, but I was always a little creeped out," sophomore English major Megan Carey said. "It would be nice if they put more lighting out there. There are some lights where the cars are, but there is a middle courtyard and it's really dark."

The e-mail gave little information on the attack.

"According to the police report, the assailant is a [six foot] tall male, and was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt at the time of the attack," the e-mail read. "Anyone with information related to the attack is urged to contact the University Police Department at 903-886-5868."