Department of Public Safety officers are investigating a peeping tom on campus. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, at approximately 10:30 p.m. officers received a call about a possible voyeur around the Crocker residence hall.
“An unidentified person was observed holding a cell phone in the window on the ground floor of a standard residence while a woman was showering,” said DPS Deputy Director Dawn Emrich. It is suspected that the cell phone was used to record the victim while showering.
Although this is the only reported incident this academic year, similar incidents have occurred and are all part of an ongoing investigation. One incident occurred in November 2010, when a student in Crocker noticed someone pointing a phone at her from outside the bathroom window.
It is still too early in the investigation to determine if these incidents are related in any way, Emrich said.
Following this case, DPS immediately issued a crime prevention notice that was posted on every residence building. In addition, DPS and Housing and Residence Life directors are joining together to “ensure the safety and security of the residential community.”
Furthermore, DPS has increased security patrol throughout the Pepperdine community and is keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. Although DPS would not reveal their particular screening process for allowing cars on campus, they look for the Pepperdine sticker on cars coming through the guard gate, Emrich said.
According to mainstreetsafety.com students living in dorms must remember to take precautions and protect themselves. They recommend using the buddy system whenever possible. Students can have a friend observe window coverings and doors, both outside and inside, to locate any vulnerable viewing areas that could possibly attract a peeping tom. If they cannot see anything, then neither can a peeping tom. An upstairs unit can be just as vulnerable as a lower level room because a voyeur can utilize such tools as binoculars or a high tech camera lens. If any vulnerable areas are discovered, try to find an immediate solution.
The site warns that it is easy to develop a false sense of security while living in a college community. However, it is imperative that students treat their campus as a neighborhood, always on alert for suspicious activity like a neighborhood watch.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or similar incidents is urged to call Public Safety.
•Emergency from on campus extension: ext. 4441
•Emergency from off campus line: 310.506.4441
•From a “blue light” emergency phone on campus: dials DPS automatically
•Anonymous Tip Hotline: 310.506.7634
