
| Accused Burglar Compromises UH Dorm |
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| Written by Tim Sakahara - tsakahara@kgmb9.com | |||
| November 26, 2007 11:45 PM | |||
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An email alert was sent across the University of Hawaii Manoa campus Monday after a female student said she was sexually assaulted near the school. Around 8:00 a.m. the woman said she was off-campus near Puck's Alley when a man started following her. He asked for the time then trailed after her to the music building and touched her inappropriately. She screamed, ran away and called campus security. He was wearing a black-blue long-sleeve shirt, dark dress pants and shoes. If you see someone matching this description call campus security at 956-6911. Meanwhile, Honolulu Police are investigating another frightening incident on campus at the UH dorms. A man was arrested Sunday after reportedly breaking into dorm rooms. According to police, Mark Heath, a soldier based at Schofield Barracks, got past locked doors and into the dorms, then helped himself to other people's belongings. At one point he even tried to get into a room a girl was in. He was noticed by a student and arrested. "We're not sure how this guy got into the building," said University spokesman Gregg Takayama. This was not the first incident on campus this school year. In August, a student was sexually assaulted in her dorm room and there have been other burglaries as well. "Thefts in general on our Manoa campus have been an ongoing problem," Takayama said. The University said it was increasing security putting someone in the lobby to check identification cards 24/7. KGMB9 wanted to find out how those security changes were going. Four weeks ago, we were easily able to gain access to the building and dorm rooms and found a female bathroom door didn't lock or even close. Now administration said repairs have been made to that door. It also reiterated the importance of checking identification to the students but has not made any other security changes. "We could impose very stringent entry and exit requirements we feel they're safe we feel by going and making it very stringent it would be conditions our students would not like," Takayama said. "It's already kind of irritating you have to show your ID everyday every time you walk into the door to the person at the front door. How much more you going to do hand cuff us to the security guards?" said Ashley Manaole, freshman. While we were on campus Monday, we saw one person let two others into the building. We also noticed as one person walked out another walked in without using a key. "I think that's the main problem in our dorms people are too trustful and they let strangers in," said Rachel Gonzalez, freshman. Some said security was tougher at the beginning of the year. "Sometimes I think the people working the front desk get kind of lazy you know and they let people go. People have guests and they don't have an ID they let them go. I know because I bring guests and they let them do that," said Leila Kaaekuahiwi, freshman. The administration said it does not want to turn the dorms into a prison but it does want to install cameras and a new electronic lock system on doors. The school is asking the state for money for those improvements. Related Stories: |
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| Last Updated ( November 26, 2007 11:45 PM ) | |||
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