Professor Criticizes Response to Attacks

Approximately one month after he was attacked just outside the Kennedy School of Government by a group of teenagers, Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies James R. Russell has criticized what he calls a lack of adequate response by the police.

His concern comes on the heels of another attack bordering campus last week. Last Monday at approximately 9 p.m. a man was assaulted on the Weeks Bridge, according to the Harvard Police blotter.

The attack last week occurred on the same day Harvard University Police Chief Paul E. Johnson released a security alert to the Harvard community warning of three attacks in recent weeks in the same vicinity, including a rape in early September.

And last month, James L. Tierney '96 and his girlfriend were assaulted and robbed near Mather House by five men who demanded money.

Johnson said last week that the situation is "not an emergency. It's not something we want anyone to get alarmed about." However, he said police have increased patrols in the Memorial Drive area. Johnson was not available for comment yesterday.

But Russell, who lives in the area near John F. Kennedy Park where he was assaulted, says he "[hasn't] noticed a thing."

In an interview yesterday, Russell said he was attacked and beaten by "a gang of six young black males" while walking through the park with a friend on September 29.

Russell said the group emerged from the bushes and cursed at him and his friend. He said he believes the attack was an attempted murder. Russell sustained minor injuries to his face while his friend ran for help.

Russell said the area was "completely deserted" and "pitch dark" at the time, and that streetlights lining the park had been out for weeks.

"The lights along Memorial Drive are antiquated and pale, not the powerful mercury lights like in most cities in America," he said.

The Harvard, Cambridge and State Police each took reports on the incident, and Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles referred the case to the University's General Counsel, but Russell said he has received no response.

He said he wants to see improved lighting, a "pro-active policy against suspicious-looking groups of young men" and police on foot patrols after dark.

Although Russell said he reported the attack to the Harvard Police, it was not mentioned in last Monday's safety advisory.

"My impression, although I could be wrong, was that they were interested only in attacks on students because of publicity, and professors didn't rate," Russell said. "It is deplorable that they shouldn't exhibit the same level of concern for all members of the community equally."

Russell said he is worried about the way the police department reported the incident to the public. "Nothing was reported until there was no alternative," he said.

The security alert released last week reported that a student was raped in early September at approximately 10 a.m. while jogging between the Weeks Bridge and the Weld Boathouse.

"If they were to report issues of concern with greater candor, I wouldn't have walked through Kennedy Park, I would have taken another route," Russell said. "I would have gotten a permit to carry mace," which he has since done.

In addition, Russell says he is "much more cautious" about when and where he goes out at night

"The lights along Memorial Drive are antiquated and pale, not the powerful mercury lights like in most cities in America," he said.

The Harvard, Cambridge and State Police each took reports on the incident, and Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles referred the case to the University's General Counsel, but Russell said he has received no response.

He said he wants to see improved lighting, a "pro-active policy against suspicious-looking groups of young men" and police on foot patrols after dark.

Although Russell said he reported the attack to the Harvard Police, it was not mentioned in last Monday's safety advisory.

"My impression, although I could be wrong, was that they were interested only in attacks on students because of publicity, and professors didn't rate," Russell said. "It is deplorable that they shouldn't exhibit the same level of concern for all members of the community equally."

Russell said he is worried about the way the police department reported the incident to the public. "Nothing was reported until there was no alternative," he said.

The security alert released last week reported that a student was raped in early September at approximately 10 a.m. while jogging between the Weeks Bridge and the Weld Boathouse.

"If they were to report issues of concern with greater candor, I wouldn't have walked through Kennedy Park, I would have taken another route," Russell said. "I would have gotten a permit to carry mace," which he has since done.

In addition, Russell says he is "much more cautious" about when and where he goes out at night