By Kelly Lucas
Campus Editor

The Purdue Village has had recent experiences with criminal activity — the most recent being that of animal cruelty — and has had incidents ranging from "peeping Toms" to sexual assaults.

According to Ron Fosnaugh, captain of special services at the Purdue Police Department, no one has been arrested in conjunction with the sexual assault in which a resident was attacked as she was walking along the east side of Building 116 in the Purdue Village on March 30.

Christa Heidbreder, assistant manager of the Purdue Village, said the Village has sent mass voice mails and has also published articles in "The Chronicle," the Purdue Village newsletter, to keep residents aware of the mischievous behavior. She said she doesn't want residents to feel unsafe.

"We encourage all residents who are aware of anything out of the ordinary to contact the police or us because we need everybody to help each other; we welcome help," said Heidbreder.

However, Shannon Thomas, a junior in the School of Technology and a resident of the Purdue Village, said she feels the Purdue Village could benefit from additional lighting.

"Last semester, I had a lot of exams at night and I would usually walk home," said Thomas. "When I walked through campus it was fine but as soon as I hit the Purdue Village, it was darkness."

Thomas said she feels unsafe, especially with the recent sexual assault and the case of the "peeping Tom."

"Honestly, I think the lighting could make a world of difference," said Thomas. "Tighter security would also help but I understand there is only so much they can do."

Heidbreder said the Purdue Village is equipped with proper lighting just as campus is.

"I think it's just like the entire campus; there are some places that have more lighting and others that do not," said Heidbreder. "It's important to know where the better lighting is, such as along State Street, instead of behind the buildings." However, Heidbreder said, the safest way to walk at night is with someone you know.

In regards to the "peeping Tom" incidents, Purdue Village resident Russ Claxton said he felt the Purdue Village did not want to hear the complaints about the "peeping Toms" earlier this semester and said he felt a sense that nothing was going to be done about the situation.

"It seems as though the Village would rather not deal with it," said Claxton, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts and father of one son. "There have been people that have called about the peepers and nothing has been done." He said it seems as if the Purdue Village made the people who voiced concerns about the peepers feel like they were acting paranoid.

On the other hand, Claxton said he does not fear for the safety of his son. "Where I live I know my neighbors pretty well and feel comfortable letting my son play outside in the daytime with the other kids," he said.

Heidbreder said when people get to know each other and talk neighbor to neighbor, it helps build community, which she stresses is important in order to have a safe neighborhood.

"We are a good neighborhood, there are good people who live here," she said. "We are fortunate to have such a wealth of information from people of different backgrounds. That's what makes us unique."

Heidbreder said the Village will continue to notify residents of what to do if they are suspicious of criminal behavior. She said they will continue publishing safety tips and sending informative voice mails to residents on a regular basis.

Heidbreder encourages all residents to keep their eyes and ears open, lock their doors, never walk alone at night and notify the Purdue Village and police of any suspicious behavior as soon as possible.