crime

Brutal crimes need punishment

By:
Published Feb 8, in Opinions

 

It was announced this week by District Attorney Greg Winters that he will be seeking to try seven Macon teenagers as adults in the case of the rape of a Northeast High School student in January.

The accused include two fifteen-year old students and a fourteen-year old student who were charged in the rape of a special needs student in the boy’s bathroom on January 19, 2012. 

It was released last week that arrest warrants were issued for Greg L. Watkins, 17; Antonio Deaundry Jackson, 18; Jimmie Lee McKnight, 17, and Ashley J. Clark, 17, for the rape.

While it is customary for children under the age of 17 to be tried in the juvenile court the prosecutor of the case has the choice to try juveniles charged with certain serious crimes as adults. 

Because of the heinous nature of the rape that occurred, Winters is choosing to try all seven teens as adults.

I’m sure that some back lash will be heard about the choice to try these students as adults in the court of law, especially by family members and friends, but Winters has the right idea and is correct in his choice.

I can understand that some people would view trying a fourteen-year old or a fifteen-year old as an adult to be wrong.

But in this case it couldn’t be more right. Rape is a brutal, violent crime that should never take place, especially a rape that involves seven violators and a disabled student. 

Something this serious and disgusting should never be allowed to happen to anyone, and for the sake and the peace of mind of the victim in the matter I think the children should be tried as adults.

It is said that defendants need to be able to understand the extent of their crime and also understand why it is that the crime is wrong. 

In this case you have seventeen- year-old students and a legal adult, plus two fifteen year-old students and a fourteen-year-old. 

These students are completely capable of understanding the magnitude of their crime, and in my opinion if they are capable of raping someone, they are capable of dealing with the consequences of their actions in an adult court.

All of the teenagers charged are completely capable of knowing the difference and choosing between right and wrong. 

No matter what the circumstances of the rape, whether it was just a random act of violence or a gang initiation, whether it was a female who was raped or a male, these students are capable of knowing that rape is wrong, violent, and is a crime for a reason. 

If they are old enough to be able to choose to rape someone, regardless of gender or motivation of the crime, then they are old enough to deal with the sentences that will be imposed on them if they are tried and found guilty as adults. 

I think it is horrible that children can be capable of committing such a crime, but unfortunately, and apparently, nowadays children are capable of doing just that.

The rape they committed was wrong and disgusting, but it would be even more wrong to try them in a juvenile court and release them after a few years served to go back out and rape again.

An adult sentence will hopefully teach them that rape should not and is not tolerated in our society. 

I feel for their families, but for the sake of protecting other students and children, these seven teens should face a harsher sentence than can be brought about in juvenile court. 

They have brought it upon themselves.

 

Comments, rebuttals, questions or concerns about this column can be emailed to opinions@mercercluster.com

Complaint filed against Macon police

Mother of Mercer student upset with police conduct during car theft recovery

By:
Published Oct 19, in Local

Recently, a Mercer student’s vehicle was stolen and recovered by Macon Police.
However, the way the recovery was conducted has become a matter of considerable controversy over the past weeks.
Lynah Stone was taken to the site where her vehicle was recovered, and faced the suspects. Despite being accompanied by police officers, she said “I didn’t feel comfortable, you should never feel unsafe around a police officer…he made me feel like the suspect.” This conduct has motivated her mother to file a formal complaint with the Macon Police Department.
While the police upheld their duties, it is the methodology that is in question.
The Macon Police Department has made no formal press release or statement on the complaint on its repercussions.
Stone said that the complaint was filed “not out of vengeance” but that she does “not want any one to be put in that situation.”
The Mercer Police were the ones initially alerted to the situation, however, because the car could not be found on campus, they let Macon Police take over the search.
Larry Brumley, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, stated to the Macon Telegraph that this was the first time a car had been stolen from a student in years.
Perhaps this inexperience contributed somewhat to the questionable handling of the situation. However, the novelty of this event is certainly something students can take comfort in.
Stone continually praised the Mercer Police, saying that one Mercer officer stood by her side and talked to her about the way the Macon officer in question had treated her.
Stone indicated that she did not expect any official apology and mostly wanted the situation to quiet down.
However, she said she does want the officer “to know that he chose wrong” although she is not looking for serious repercussions for him.
The overall reaction to this situation has been so fairly widespread because it is a violation of what is widely acknowledged as the “Mercer Bubble,” a term that has become popular as a way of denoting the sharp contrast between the atmosphere of Mercer and the atmosphere of the community immediately surrounding the University.
Students regularly express a desire to escape the “bubble” for a period of time, however, this is usually done in volunteering or shopping trips.
The idea of the “bubble” also denoted a certain insulation and tranquility, and to see that violated has caused considerable upset, even though the official safety level of the campus has not changed.
This has led to discussion of further safety protocols.
The general consensus is that Mercer Police do a great job of policing the campus, but the University’s proximity to questionable neighborhoods has led to some, including Stone, to suggest closing off an entrance or two.
However, Brumley said to the Telegraph, “We can’t become a fortress, but we do work diligently at making sure we have adequate patrols.”
However, even with the current level of security, when asked if she felt safe parking on or near campus now, Stone said “I do, we have great Mercer Police force here.”

Recent rise in crime impacts Mercer area

In the past month, Mercer students have been affected by criminal activity.

By:
Published Oct 5, in City, Crime, News

Over the past month, Mercer students have seen a rise in criminal activity in the area. More importantly, several of these recent criminal acts have directly affected students on the Macon campus.
During the month of September, a car was reported stolen from behind Jittery Joe’s Coffee, two law students were mugged walking from downtown, two students were physically assaulted during a home invasion and seven cars were broken into in the parking lot directly across from the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity house.
Over the summer, a law student was murdered and another female was kidnapped on Montpelier Avenue.
Mercer students were the victims of all of these crimes.
Larry Brumley, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications, said, “All of these incidents are unrelated. They didn’t have any relationship as far as we know.”
All but two of these acts occurred off-campus.
Gary Collins, Chief of Mercer Police, said, “You can’t stop crime from occurring and some of the things that have happened, unless an officer was there, there’s no way they could prevent that crime.”
The fact that these acts involved Mercer students as victims has raised awareness about crime in the city of Macon. “These are Mercer students being victims of crime. When it gets close to home you look more closely,” Collins said.
The stolen car, which was originally reported stolen to Mercer Police, has recently been recovered undamaged by Macon Police. Chief Collins said that there were occupants in the car when the police found it, but the incident is still being investigated.
We haven’t had one of those [incidents] in years,” said Brumley.
Two law students were the victims of a mugging in downtown Macon less than a month ago. The incident occurred after midnight while the two were walking home from a bar.
Chief Collins urges students to utilize transportation resources available to students and not to walk home in these areas.  Students can use the Mercer Trolley system or call a cab.
“We cannot control the city of Macon. Call 9-11 immediately if you are off-campus and students can call us if they are in close vicinity of campus.”
While Mercer Police do have jurisdiction within several miles of campus, they cannot police the entire area. “Our main focus is campus,” Collins said.
On Sept. 20, two Mercer females living off-campus were the victims of a home invasion. Both students were transported to the hospital and suffered injuries from the assault.
Since the incident occured, the victims have terminated their lease and Mercer has provided the students with on-campus housing. “Dr. Pearson handled the details of the on-campus housing after the incident and they took him up on it.” Brumley said.
While many students face the issue of the affordability of on-campus housing, the Macon Police Department urges students interested in off-campus housing to call the City of Macon for crime statistics in these areas.
“There is a reason why these houses are cheap,” said Brumley. “We don’t have the jurisdiction to patrol these areas.”
“Before you sign a contract, check crime statistics,” said Chief Collins. “Look for a gated community with security.”
Mercer University President, Bill Underwood, hopes to implement a four-year-housing requirement in the future. Brumley said that, while safety is not the main reason to implement this new requirement, it does give more control to the University and provide students with greater security and safety.
“Our highest priority is safety, but students, faculty and staff have to do their part and make wise decisions,” Brumley said.
Currently, University officials are meeting to come up with a more effective way to educate students on safety.
Seven students were also the victims of car break-ins on campus. “Mercer Police apprehended the suspect and most of the stolen items were returned to the victims,” Collins said.
He advises that students not leave change out in the open for people to see, GPS devices, phone charges or even mounts for GPS systems.
Currently, there are no cameras in the parking lot in which  these cars were located.
The University is not held responsible for covering the cost of damages to these vehicles and students’ insurance policies will have to replace the windows.
If the defendant is found guilty, restitution can be ordered to all victims involved in these break-ins.
“Macon has its up and downs and I’m certainly hoping that the crime rate starts declining. Macon Police are hoping to get youth involved in good things. I think if these new programs are put into effect, it will help a great deal,” Collins said. He said that Mercer Police do their best to eliminate crime, but some incidents are inevitable.

Police beat roundup: Jan.-Feb.

By:
Published Mar 16, in Campus, Crime, News

Mercer Police received a total of 14 emergency calls during the months of January, February.

Jan. 31: A student reported her vehicle was missing. The car turned out to be stolen. Macon Police recovered the car at a local apartment complex. The ignition was damaged and several items were missing from the vehicle.

Feb. 3: A student reported his vehicle had been entered illegally and his iPod stolen.

Feb. 5: Officers responded to a domestic dispute.

Feb. 8: Officers received a report of a suspected marijuana smell in a dorm room. Investigation found several articles of drug paraphernalia.

Feb. 12: A student reported a baseball had damaged her vehicle window.

Feb. 13: Officers responded to a call involving a student who had been hit by another student on the Asylum trolley.

Feb. 14: Officers answered a call regarding a broken window in a new building. An investigation revealed underage drinking had taken place.  Further investigation revealed who allegedly threw the object that broke the window.

Feb. 14: Officers answered an alarm and determined a balloon had floated past the sensors and set it off.

Feb. 18: A student reported her car tag/license plate had been stolen.

Feb. 18: Miss Molly the trolley caught fire on Stadium Drive near the Hilton Hotel.

Feb. 22: A student reported a leg brace was stolen from the hall outside his room. He had left it there to dry.

Feb. 22: A student was seen directing a laser toward the sky. The laser was confiscated. The FAA has reported in the past of compromised air safety and damage to pilots’ eyesight from lasers used in similar fashion.

Feb. 23: A smoke detector in one of the buildings being constructed was activated by drywall dust in the air.

Feb. 26: A student reported she either lost her laptop or someone stole it. It was later found by another student who returned it to Mercer Police. Officers then returned it to the student who reported it missing.

To report a crime or incident, call Mercer Police at 478-301-4357 (HELP)

Police find no evidence for alleged assault, robbery of student on campus

Investigation concludes no crime likely took place outside of MEP residence hall

By:
Published Mar 16, in Breaking, Campus, Crime, News

Police have found no evidence for the alleged assault of a student on campus that prompted a University-wide safety alert to be sent out in December.

An investigation and video analysis into the event has concluded that the male student who claimed he was hit in the face and robbed by a man in front of Mary Erin Porter hall on Dec. 9 was not speaking accurately to Mercer Police when he made his allegations.

“We trust students above all else, and we want them to trust us. If you came in and told us you got robbed, we’re going to go with it until we find otherwise.” -Gary Collins, Chief of Mercer Police

Officer Mike Kondorf with the Mercer Police Department said video surveillance tapes show no record of the incident taking place, and none of the witnesses on the scene at the time recalled seeing any disturbances.

The student initially claimed he chased the perpetrator down Montpelier Avenue past Mercer Village around 3:45 p.m., then later changed his story to say he ran through the quad, Kondorf said.

The student also offered conflicting accounts as to whether his wallet was forcibly stolen from his pocket or picked up off the ground, as well as whether he was hit in the face or shoved. No visible injuries were sustained, Kondorf said.

“Given the time of day that the incident supposedly occurred, the conflicting stories from the victim, the lack of video evidence and the fact that no witnesses on the scene saw anything happening, we’re led to believe that the incident likely did not happen,” Kondorf said.

Kondorf said the student’s father contacted Mercer Police shortly after the incident, and that the student did not return to campus after the winter break.

Mercer Police Chief Gary Collins said that while the student may have been confused or dishonest about what actually happened, police were correct in sending out a safety alert via e-mail and text messaging based upon the information they had at the time.

“We trust students above all else, and we want them to trust us. If you came in and told us you got robbed, we’re going to go with it until we find otherwise,” Collins said. “We can always correct the alerts later, but it’s better to send them out and be wrong than to not send them out at all and risk other students being in danger.”

The safety alert is one of two such alerts that have been sent out by Mercer Police this academic year.

The other alert was sent out in January after a student was allegedly robbed at gunpoint off Mercer University Drive near the Hilton Garden Inn.

Please notify Mercer Police at 301-HELP (4357) whenever you see any people acting suspicious- ly on campus.

Mercer campus safe despite recent rise in crime

By:
Published Feb 23, in News

 

“We all strive for the same thing. We want to keep you safe while you are learning,” said Mercer Police Chief Gary Collins. 

With the recent rise in crime on campus, Mercer police are giving students advice on how to exercise safety on and off campus.

In recent months, Mercer police have seen an escalation in property crimes and one robbery. 

“Our students have a bad habit of leaving stuff just sitting out, and when they return it’s gone. If they see it, people will go after it,” Collins said. He further stresses to the students that with their new freedom comes more responsibility.

Chief Collins and his officers have increased patrol in the areas where these incidents have occurred, further taking measures to ensure students’ safety. 

Mercer Police have included 24-7 patrol in the College Corridor and offer to drive students anywhere on campus.

“When something happens at Mercer, it seems like a big uprising in crime. We’ve been very fortunate that we don’t have much crime,” Collins said.

Collins attributes this prevention to his 15-man task force, faculty, staff and students cooperating in reporting suspicious behavior. Collins stresses the key element of safety is to be aware of your surroundings. 

“Try to prevent yourself from becoming a target. Know where you are. Know your surroundings. Go to well-lit areas. There are some areas that even I wouldn’t want to walk into at night,” Collins said. 

Report any incident or suspicious behavior immediately after it occurs. In areas on campus that are not well lit, Collins suggests walking in groups.

If someone were to approach you, try to get a detailed description of that person. Do not act like you are afraid or nervous and look the person in the eye. 

“Don’t fight with them. Let us do that. Give them what they want; your life is more important than any property you may have on you,” said Collins. Most importantly, be aware of who is around you. 

In regards to lighting, Mercer police is working with the Student Government Association to improve lighting in areas, such as parking lots, on campus for students studying late at night. 

To minimize unwanted foot traffic, officers frequently check identification. 

“Sometimes students will get upset because they’re stopped and asked for identification. But, if we see people, we do stop them and try to find out why they are here,” Collins said.

Chief Collins encourages his officers to evoke not only a presence as enforcers, but one of friendship as well. 

“I want them interacting with the students. We are your allies, and if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.”

On a scale of one to 10, Chief Collins rates Mercer’s safety at nine. 

“I think Mercer is a very safe campus. In no way do I mean to imply that nothing ever happens; incidents are going to occur,” Collins said.

Mercer Police emphasizes that the combined efforts of everyone working together—students, faculty, staff and police department—will minimize the number of occurrences.