Albright College Increasing Police Presence After Uptick in On-Campus Crime

Extra public safety officers have been assigned to patrol on campus, and Muhlenberg Township police have supplied additional patrol cars and officers to patrol during the evening, night and early morning.

• By Jessica Davis
• November 07, 2018

City police and school officials said they are increasing security on campus at Albright College in Reading, Penn., after a brief increase in crime on and near the campus.

According to Capt. Paul Reilly, a number of crimes took place on or near the campus last month. Crimes included things like nonstudents stealing students’ cellphones out of their hands and an incident where a group of people entering a secure dorm building after someone with access, then assaulting and robbing a student.

Reilly said most of the suspects appear to be within the ages of 15 and 18, though none have been caught. The investigations are active.

Albright's Vice President of Student and Campus Life and Chief Health Officer Samantha J. Wesner said the college has increased security in response to these incidents. Extra public safety officers have been assigned to patrol on campus, and Muhlenberg Township police have supplied additional patrol cars and officers to patrol during the evening, night and early morning.

Albright College has increased free shuttle and on-demand rides for students. It also offers students an emergency alert device that costs $45 for a year of service or $120 for a lifetime plan.

According to Wesner, Albright’s director of public safety and director of facilities have toured the campus to see where lighting needs to be improved. Members of the Public Safety department and city police have also reviewed safety and security with the school’s resident assistants, students employed to watch over the campus residence halls and apartments.

"We do take the security of our students and staff on campus very seriously," Wesner said.

In an Oct. 15 email sent to students, school public safety officials recommended students take the following safety precautions:

• Remember to always be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid using electronics while walking and be advised that use of headphones/earbuds while walking limits your ability to hear what is happening around you.
• Avoid walking alone at night, and walk in pairs or groups.
• Do not allow others to "piggy back" into residence halls behind you and do not open doors for anyone you do not know.
• Lock doors and windows to residence halls and vehicles at all times.
• Sign-up for e2 Campus emergency text messaging service and to call public safety office at 610-921-7670 or the Reading Police nonemergency number at 610-655-6111 if there is suspicious activity.