Police forces from the University, City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Waynesboro had reason to celebrate August 13. After 10 years, they arrested a man currently a suspect in the case of the Charlottesville serial rapist. DNA evidence has linked Nathan Antonio Washington to two of the seven crimes that are believed to be the work of the serial rapist. Some members of both the University and Charlottesville communities are cautiously optimistic about the potential end to the threat of the serial rapist; however many are still urging others not to let down their guard.
Heeding the warnings
Fourth-year students can easily recall Resident Staff warning themas first-year students about the possible dangers that lurked around Grounds -- often accentuated against the backdrop of the looming threat of a serial rapist still at large.
"I remember that when we were first years, people talked about the serial rapist all of the time, " fourth-year College student Dan Devlin said.
First-year College student Julie O'Brien, however, said within the wealth of information being given at summer orientation, personal safety and local crime were not hugely emphasized.
"At orientation, they talked about using the blue phones, not being out alone and things like that, but there was not too much focus on it from what I remember -- there were a lot of other things going on," O'Brien said.
First-year College student Stephen Levin said he may have heard the idea of a local serial rapist mentioned once or twice during a previous visit to Charlottesville but has heard nothing of it recently.
Levin added that, among the excitement and pressures surrounding his first year of college, personal safety never struck him as a particularly significant issue.
"I hadn't thought about [personal safety] much, which says to me that I feel like I'll be safe there, especially on Grounds," Levin said.
Devlin also said mention of the serial rapist around Grounds has dropped since his first year.
Whether the threat of the serial rapist is widely discussed or not, however, Devlin said he has lived off-Grounds since his second year and considers both Grounds and his residence to be sufficiently safe.
"I've always felt pretty safe on Grounds and in the JPA area where I've lived; there's lots of light and plenty people around," he said. "I feel less safe in the Corner and 14th Street areas because you tend to hear more crime reports coming from there."
Staying safe
The Office of Student Life plans to continue its efforts to keep students safe, regardless of which threats loom most vividly on the horizon. Former Dean of Students Penny Rue said while Washington's arrest may be a relief, it will not lead to relaxed safety initiatives.
"There will be absolutely no policy changes as a result of this," Rue said. "We're relieved that he's been caught, but there's absolutely no reason for people to let their guard down."
Rue added that safety education will continue to focus on precautionary measures students can take, rather than specific threats in the community.
"There's no need to focus on that individual [Washington] as a threat, but the most important asset with
issues like this is the gray stuff between your temples," she said.
While campus safety and security forces work to provide strong, reliable protection for the student body, safety concerns linger off-Grounds. City spokesman Ric Barrick cited recent violent crimes as reasons why students and Charlottesville residents alike should not let down their guards.
He suggested that college students, especially first-year students, often "don't necessarily come to school with a sense for their own security." He added that everyone should be aware of their surroundings and understand that "there are people out there who want to hurt you regardless of who's been arrested and who hasn't."
Barrick also said this particular case should not be considered resolved until a verdict is reached and a sentence is decided in court.
"There have been people who have been working on this case for the past 10 years, and there is a sense of relief, but the investigation is not over yet," he said. "But at least their direction is more positive than it has been."
Efforts to find and prosecute the alleged rapist were advanced by collaboration among local police departments. Anywhere near Grounds, police cars bearing the colors of the University, Charlottesville or Albemarle County are a common sight. It is not often, however, that these three groups, along with the Waynesboro Police, work together so effectively with such a strong result, Barrick said.
"It was one of the first times where it was a multi-jurisdictional incident that tested our ability to work together," Barrick said. "There's a sense of pride that we can do that."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 6 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
