Security updates with John Blaisdell

Source: John Salvino, https://unsplash.com/photos/bqGBbLq_yfc

Marist Head of Security John Blaisdell disclosed various security incidents in a recent interview. 

On Oct. 26, a bike was stolen from the bike racks near Ward Hall. The bike was not secured by a lock. The case is now closed. 

The following day, a lawn sign for a club was stolen from outside the Murray Student Center. This incident is now being reviewed in court. 

A hit and run occurred in the McCann parking lot on the same day – a student returned to their car to find visible damage and that the perpetrator had fled.

Graffiti was discovered on a bench near O’Shea Hall on Halloween. According to Blaisdell, the symbols were “indistinguishable.” The case is no longer being investigated.

Multiple students were found guilty of drug violations from Halloween to Nov. 2 after drugs were discovered during fire safety inspections. The three cases have been referred to court. 

Stolen money from a student’s car in the Sheahan parking lot, a stolen bicycle near McCormick Hall and another stolen lawn sign were all reported between Nov. 3 and Nov. 8. All three cases are now closed. 

Blaisdell shared some additional information about the trend in crimes of theft on campus. “This is not isolated to Marist College,” Blaisdell said. “I think local police are also frustrated because surrounding neighborhoods are having the same problems.”

Blaisdell concluded by adding that the on-campus larceny incidents are “almost all unlocked vehicles, so be sure to lock your car.”