Three Assaults, Two Robberies Hit Harvard Area Last Week

A crime wave of three assaults and two armed robberies struck the Harvard community during the week ending last Saturday. Two of the victims sustained light injuries.

In separate incidents, two freshmen and a graduate student were assaulted, and a couple living the Peabody Terrace and another freshman were victims of armed robbery.

Chief of Police Robert Tonis yesterday said these figures represent "no serious increase" in the crime rate at Harvard.

However, Lt. Joseph Kenny said that some jump in the crime rate during the fall is not unusual. Kenny attributed this is to several things.

"Assaults go up on weekends especially during football season because people have more to drink and are a little more aggressive," Kenny said. "Robberies also increase because of the tendency for students to be a little careless when they return to school," he said.

Protective Measures

Harvard Police have stepped up protective measures to avert any possible increase in crime. Police recently instituted a student security patrol. Six students are on patrol along with the usual number of police. "We need as many eyes as we can get," Kenny said.

Kenny said the best safety measures are locked gates and increased lighting throughout the campus.

"Locking gates cuts down on a tremendous amount of disturbances, particularly on weekends," Kenny added.

Kenny urged that members of the Harvard community travel in well-lighted areas at night. They can also help police by immediately reporting any suspicious persons, he said.