Police Urge Campus Communities to Remain Vigilant

Friday, September 01, 2017

Campuses are Not Immune to Criminal Activity

As college students return to the class, the PBA of New York State and its approximately 530 State University Police Officers assigned to 29 SUNY campuses around the state remind students that crimes are not only a big city issue, but also can occur on college campuses, student dormitories and in any community regardless of its size or location.

Peter Barry, president of the PBA of New York State said: “As each semester begins we remind students, staff and visitors to our campuses to remain alert and aware that crime can occur on a college campus, and to recognize that the women and men serving as University Police Officers are trained and prepared to counter criminal activity and to apprehend those that pose a threat to the community. We are proud of our officers for the job they do - we know vigilance is among the most effective deterrents.”

  

Three recent arrests by University Police officer underscore the warnings:

   - State University Police Officers at SUNY Oswego arrested a student for possession of more than 40lbs of marijuana discovered in a vehicle during a traffic stop. The defendant was remanded to Oswego County jail;

   - State University Police Officers at SUNY Brockport arrested a student on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Tennessee, where he was facing charges for two counts of domestic assault, in which allegedly menaced the victim with a firearm, and rape.  After processing he was remanded to Monroe County jail to await action by Tennessee authorities; and

   - State University Police Officers at the University at Albany responded to a report of odor of marihuana in a student’s room.  During the investigation, it was discovered that a student from Queens, NY, was wanted on warrants out of Virginia for felony abduction and sexual battery.  The student was taken into custody and held for extradition by Virginia authorities.

“A State University campus is an exciting and vibrant place – but it is a simple fact that irrespective of the size of the campus or its location, it is not free of crime or potentially dangerous individuals,” said Barry – who in addition to being PBANYS president, is a 19-year veteran university police officer.

  

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Please Note: The arrests and incidents referenced in this document are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless convicted in a court of law.  All quotes attributable to Peter Barry are from his role as PBANYS president, not as a university police officer.