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Complex faces safety concerns U Greens’ residents experience thievery BRYCE MCELHANEY News Reporter @bryce_mac
Fliers for an unidentified man were posted on car windshields in the University Greens parking lot, announcing a $7,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest for an armed robbery which took place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the complex. The suspect is one of two involved with the armed robbery. According to a release from the Norman Police Department, two
black males entered the University Greens apartment with a gun, tied up one of the residents and took property from the apartment. The victim was not injured, according to the release. NPD public safety information officer Sarah Jensen said students should go back to the basics of safety. Doors and windows need to be locked during the day, Jensen said. “As always, we would encourage them not to leave any valuables in their vehicles, especially at night … Keep them inside a locked apartment, because if it’s in your car, it’s way more likely to be stolen. It’s way more visible,” Jensen said. Energy management junior
Rachel, a resident of the complex, said her car was broken into on Sept. 14. Rachel asked that her last name be removed to protect her identity. “ Basically, I walke d dow n Tuesday morning, and there was a lock tampered with, and my glove box and center console were empty,” Rachel said. Rachel said the damage totaled to $300 and a missing item, which was worth $500. Important documents and personal items in her car, which she was emotionally attached to, were also taken, she said. “Me and my roommates do not feel safe, and if something does not change, I will be taking action,”
Rachel said. Other complex residents said they feel safe. Energy management sophomore Olivia Black said she isn’t aware of any security changes at the complex, but still feels safe. “Today they put a police sketch of the guy and wrote ‘$7000 reward’ on it,” Black said. Petroleum engineering sophomore Abel Rivera said he feels safe at the complex. “I feel good. I mean, I know people talk about it, but we keep our doors locked,” Rivera said. Pre-health junior Pablo Perez said he also feels safe. “We lock everything up,” Perez said. Jensen said the biggest thing
is to report suspicious behavior — something that’s not reported often enough. “People tend to see suspicious behavior,” Jensen said. “They see someone who might be walking around that they’ve never seen before and maybe somebody who’s looking at the vehicles, pulling on door handles, and they don’t report it. That’s essential information.” If a resident sees suspicious behavior, Jensen said they should call the police department and get a physical description of the person. Sending officers on the scene to evaluate the situation helps, she SEE ROBBERY PAGE 6
Group suggests police training Organization tries to reduce state suicides JORGE KRZYZANIAK News Reporter @JorgeKrzyz
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Electrical engineering freshman Benjamin Korty rides his bike on the Scholars Walk. There is still no evidence of a proposed bike lane.
ABSENT LANE CHAOS Proposed bike lane still missing from Scholar’s Walk JESSE POUND News Editor @jesserpound
An expected bike lane on the east side of the South Oval has not yet been added, despite the lane being part of the university’s master bike plan.
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Last fall, The Daily ran a story about a new bike lane that was supposed to be added onto the Scholar’s Walk side of the South Oval. As of press time, no work on the bike lane had begun. The lane is expected to be added soon, said Brian Holderread, the director of architectural and engineering services. “I think we’ll get something out there this semester,” Holderread said.
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Architectural and engineering services is studying how the new bike lane will fit into the master plan for bikes on campus, Holderread said. One thing they are taking into consideration is the construction of the new residence halls, which will have students coming to classes from a different direction than they have in the past. Last fall, the plan was for the bike lane to be on the western side of the Scholar’s Walk, occupying the
inside part of the South Oval. The addition of the bike lane was part of the original budget for the Scholar’s Walk renovations. Architectural and engineering services is also considering the timing of when to do the project, as it is harder to do a project like this during football season, Holderread said.
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SEE BIKES PAGE 2
Mental Health Association Oklahoma is pushing for better police training for averting suicide. The most recent data from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office shows a nearly steady increase in suicide deaths in Oklahoma throughout the last decade. Mental Health Association Oklahoma Executive Director, Mike Brose, said moments of mental crisis can happen to anyone. It’s what happens in those moments that can mean life or death. Often, police are called upon to de-escalate situations where an individual is attempting or threatening suicide, he said. Brose said law enforcement protocols and the methods of mental health professionals are at times in alignment. “But sometimes those are c ro s s -p u r p o s e d ,” h e s a i d . “Ideally, mental health professionals should be in the background until a time that they might play a role.” OU Police Maj. Bruce Chan said campus police usually respond to multiple suicide attempts or threats on campus each year. SEE COPS PAGE 3
OU YAK OF THE DAY “Maybe if I turn”walk sign is on” into my alarm, I’ll actually wake up in the morning.”
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