2008 Woodie Awards
2 students call OPD after man reportedly exposes himself, university issues e-mail
Caroline Briggs
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Front Page
Friday night was anything but relaxing for two Miami University female students after an older man allegedly exposed himself as the women sat on their front porch at 215 S. Beech Street.
Senior Kelly Monachino and junior Kristen Friderichs reported to the Oxford Police Department (OPD) at 8:50 p.m. that just five minutes earlier a man had waved at the girls from a nearby alleyway.
According to the reports, the man then pulled down his pants and motioned like he was masturbating.
"We didn't wave back or anything," Friderichs said. "But it was obvious to him that we'd seen."
They described to police that the man was about 6 feet tall, mildly overweight, white, in his mid-to-late 40s, wearing a v-neck T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap. Friderichs also stated that the man had been across the street about 20 yards away so it was difficult to see any other distinctive features.
Miami University released an e-mail and online bulletin Monday afternoon on myMiami informing the community of the incident, and requesting any information be reported to the OPD.
Sgt. Jim Squance of OPD said that his officers had been briefed in the days following to be on the look out for a man matching the description, but that it would be difficult to apprehend him because of the average description of people in this area.
"We'll be on the look out for him," Squance said. "Detectives will be interviewing the victims to see if the officers on the scene missed anything and see if they remember anything further since that night. We'll have to get more information in order to get a viable suspect."
Squance also said that officers on foot and bicycle patrol are essential in these cases because they have a better vantage to see suspicious individuals lurking on and off campus over car patrol officers.
Whether or not the man is caught, Squance also stressed that how important it is that students not make themselves targets in Oxford.
Friderichs also said that her and her six female roommates are more cautious after the incident as well.
"We are definitely concerned still," Friderichs said. "The police assured us that they would be on the look out and patrolling the area. I know that in the house there are always at least two people at any given time and we don't walk anywhere alone at night."
Squance also stressed the vitality of awareness and safety to students in the Oxford community.
"It's important for students to know that there are people like that out there," Squance said. "Students need to use common sense like locking their doors and windows and to keep their blinds drawn."
Senior Kelly Monachino and junior Kristen Friderichs reported to the Oxford Police Department (OPD) at 8:50 p.m. that just five minutes earlier a man had waved at the girls from a nearby alleyway.
According to the reports, the man then pulled down his pants and motioned like he was masturbating.
"We didn't wave back or anything," Friderichs said. "But it was obvious to him that we'd seen."
They described to police that the man was about 6 feet tall, mildly overweight, white, in his mid-to-late 40s, wearing a v-neck T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap. Friderichs also stated that the man had been across the street about 20 yards away so it was difficult to see any other distinctive features.
Miami University released an e-mail and online bulletin Monday afternoon on myMiami informing the community of the incident, and requesting any information be reported to the OPD.
Sgt. Jim Squance of OPD said that his officers had been briefed in the days following to be on the look out for a man matching the description, but that it would be difficult to apprehend him because of the average description of people in this area.
"We'll be on the look out for him," Squance said. "Detectives will be interviewing the victims to see if the officers on the scene missed anything and see if they remember anything further since that night. We'll have to get more information in order to get a viable suspect."
Squance also said that officers on foot and bicycle patrol are essential in these cases because they have a better vantage to see suspicious individuals lurking on and off campus over car patrol officers.
Whether or not the man is caught, Squance also stressed that how important it is that students not make themselves targets in Oxford.
Friderichs also said that her and her six female roommates are more cautious after the incident as well.
"We are definitely concerned still," Friderichs said. "The police assured us that they would be on the look out and patrolling the area. I know that in the house there are always at least two people at any given time and we don't walk anywhere alone at night."
Squance also stressed the vitality of awareness and safety to students in the Oxford community.
"It's important for students to know that there are people like that out there," Squance said. "Students need to use common sense like locking their doors and windows and to keep their blinds drawn."
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