FULLERTON : Precautions Against Campus Attacks Urged

Following a string of recent sexual assaults and robberies at and near Fullerton College, students are being told to make use of the campus security escort service as a preventive measure.

Campus police told a group of about 25 students at one of two rape-prevention seminars Wednesday that they are ready to escort them to their cars, classes or homes.

Since word that a rapist was being sought by police hit the campus last month, Sgt. Al Arevalos said, calls for the service jumped from 15 a night to more than 120.

Arevalos said police believe a man raped a woman in her unlocked apartment on the south side of campus early last month. Before that, police believe, the same man on four separate nights in the past four months attacked four other women who were walking alone to their cars on campus. The assailant punched two of the women as he tried to remove their clothes, stole another woman’s purse and tried to steal another’s purse.

“Be familiar with the campus,” Arevalos advised. “Know which classrooms lock, which ones don’t lock, which bushes are too high, and change your routes. Leave a little earlier, leave a little later or park (in different locations). . . . If you drop your guard, that’s when the problems come.”

Lucia Maturino, a student who was attacked in 1968 at nearby Lemon Park while completing an art project, agreed.

“It’s OK to be rude, ignore people who try to start up small talk, and walk away to protect yourself,” Maturino said.

Arevalos said emergency phones are in all buildings and parking lots throughout the campus.

“I’m telling everybody to call security and always walk with somebody because you can be a victim at any time,” said student Karla Payer, 19.