The University of Colorado at Boulder today announced that the Boulder Police Department and the Boulder City Manager's office have joined the University of Colorado Student Union's Safety Initiative Task Force in an effort to improve community safety.
The task force, one of three formed in November by UCSU and focused upon campus safety, is charged with bringing together members of the CU and Boulder community to create effective solutions to promote safety. It is comprised of CU students, administrators and community organizations such as the CU Police Department, the CU Women's Resource Center, the Office of Victim Assistance, Boulder Public Health, the Naropa Institute and CU Facilities Management. The Safety Initiative Task Force is chaired by UCSU Tri-executive Victoria Garcia.
"We are all a part of this community and have a responsibility to ensure our collective safety," said Dustin Farivar, UCSU tri-executive. "The Safety Initiatives Task Force was created to synergize all the safety efforts on campus and in the community. We have added an additional car to CU Night Ride, increasing its resources by 20 percent, have completed campus walkthroughs to audit safety, and are working with Facilities Management to add lighting around the darkest areas of campus, including Norlin Library and Kittredge Residence Halls."
The addition of both the Boulder Police and the Boulder city manager's office will provide an additional layer of support for the campus and city community, according to CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson.
"I applaud the leadership of the UCSU in working with my administration to take a comprehensive approach to campus safety," said Peterson. "I also welcome our colleagues with the city of Boulder, and look forward to expanding our strong and effective partnership to make safety improvements that will protect our combined community."
The task force has already met twice in its five weeks of existence.
The announcement of the collaborative effort comes on the heels of the assault of a 21-year-old CU-Boulder student in the early morning hours of Dec. 5. Boulder Police said the woman was attacked by an unknown assailant in an alley west of 12th Street between College and Euclid avenues. The assailant surprised the victim from behind, pushed her to the ground, climbed on top of her and began strangling her. The victim fought the man and was able to escape. To view the city's news release on the attack, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3730&Itemid=1382.
The attacker is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 7 inches, to 5 feet 10 inches tall. He is between approximately 35 and 40 years old and had a thin build. The victim said she believed the man was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
Anyone with information about this suspect or this crime is asked to contact Det. Jane Harmer at 303-441-3330 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, please call the non-emergency dispatch line at 303-441-3333. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous should contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers Web site at www.crimeshurt.com/. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
CU and Boulder Police also encourage the community to be mindful of safety tips and follow the precautions outlined in the city's news release and on the fact sheet provided on CU-Boulder's main Web site at www.colorado.edu.