Muggings spur increased public safety presence at 58th and Overbrook

Over a two-week period, incidents of crime have drastically spiked near the corner of 58th Street and Overbrook Avenue. The victims, who include four St. Joe's students and one Jesuit, were unable to report specific suspect descriptions to Public Safety, but mentioned "two males wearing dark clothing."

John Henfey, director of public safety and security, has increased patrolling in the vicinity and has enlisted the help of the Philadelphia Police Department. Two city police cars have been assigned to the location and alternate stationary watch and mobile patrol between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Henfey reports that Public Safety is still unable to determine whether or not the incidents are related.

"We can't say that for sure but we think that may be because of the fact that it appears that there were two individuals involved in each of the robberies and the assault," he said. "Both individuals may not have taken part in the robbery and the assault but they were present when it happened."

Each of the incidents allegedly followed roughly the same pattern. The victims were on foot when accosted by the suspect(s), who attacked unprovoked. The victims were left without serious injury.

"The robberies happened quickly," said Henfey. "The student that was assaulted wasn't robbed but he was punched in the face. The Jesuit brother was knocked down from behind, and he had some personal items taken, he wasn't injured and he really didn't have a good description of the person. And then we had two other students that were robbed point of gun and again, just 'two males wearing dark clothing.'"

Henfey sent out a campus-wide public safety alert when the incidents began occurring repeatedly within the same vicinity to inform the community and suggest safety precautions.

"By that I mean walking in well lit areas and being aware of you surroundings," said Henfey. "As far as vehicles go, not leaving personal items visible in the car that might cause someone to break into to the car and want to take those items."

The last incident, which concerned two students confronted at gunpoint, occurred on Nov. 10, before the Police Department and Public Safety began to increase their presence in the area.

Normally, officers are stationed at areas around campus 24/7 in locations such as 54th Street and Overbrook Avenue, and when manpower allows additional officers are stationed on Cardinal and City Avenues.

Presently, the original locations are still being covered, but Public Safety has focused patrols on the area of the crime incidents.

"We have two Public Safety vehicles that patrol off campus, and when something like this happens we increase patrols in those specific areas," he said. "We still patrol other areas off campus but we kind of concentrate on those areas to try to prevent further incidents like this from happening."