2008 Woodie Awards
Violent crime on the rise at UNH
Mike Anderson
Issue date: 10/6/06 Section: News
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UNH has seen an unusual amount of serious, violent crimes on campus occurring since this past July and into the new academic year, according to police officials.
From July to September, university police recorded 14 cases of assault. Eight of these were simple assaults, being the least severe. Five were second-degree assaults and one was first-degree, which are much more serious offenses. Two cases of aggravated rape were also reported.
In comparison, throughout the entire 2005 school year, only 18 cases of simple assault were reported. There was only one aggravated rape case reported during 2005.
"We're wondering what the catalyst is that is making people more violent," said Deputy Chief Paul Dean of the university police. "High schools have had programs to prevent bullying. Maybe we need something like that."
Non-students committed the two most serious offenses. Dean explained that 60 percent of all arrests made, violent or not, are non-students.
Richard McDonald, 17-year-old Alton resident, was arrested last weekend for putting a knife to a student's throat in front of Stoke Hall, according to police. McDonald allegedly had become angry with a group of students that were throwing marshmallows at him when he pulled the knife. When police arrived on the scene, he tossed the knife and ran, but was later apprehended by officers.
According to witnesses, he was "out of control violent."
McDonald is being tried as an adult for two felonies, criminal threatening and criminal restraint. He is being held on $20,000 bail.
In the beginning of September, another vicious assault occurred, which was classified as first-degree assault. Matthew Costa, an 18-year-old non-student, attacked a student in front of Kurt's Lunchbox. Costa continuously punched the student in the face, breaking some of his teeth.
"Kids always fight, but not like now," said Dean. "It may be some phenomena that we can't explain, but for some reason, these attacks have been moving from disorderly conduct cases to serious injury."
From July to September, university police recorded 14 cases of assault. Eight of these were simple assaults, being the least severe. Five were second-degree assaults and one was first-degree, which are much more serious offenses. Two cases of aggravated rape were also reported.
In comparison, throughout the entire 2005 school year, only 18 cases of simple assault were reported. There was only one aggravated rape case reported during 2005.
"We're wondering what the catalyst is that is making people more violent," said Deputy Chief Paul Dean of the university police. "High schools have had programs to prevent bullying. Maybe we need something like that."
Non-students committed the two most serious offenses. Dean explained that 60 percent of all arrests made, violent or not, are non-students.
Richard McDonald, 17-year-old Alton resident, was arrested last weekend for putting a knife to a student's throat in front of Stoke Hall, according to police. McDonald allegedly had become angry with a group of students that were throwing marshmallows at him when he pulled the knife. When police arrived on the scene, he tossed the knife and ran, but was later apprehended by officers.
According to witnesses, he was "out of control violent."
McDonald is being tried as an adult for two felonies, criminal threatening and criminal restraint. He is being held on $20,000 bail.
In the beginning of September, another vicious assault occurred, which was classified as first-degree assault. Matthew Costa, an 18-year-old non-student, attacked a student in front of Kurt's Lunchbox. Costa continuously punched the student in the face, breaking some of his teeth.
"Kids always fight, but not like now," said Dean. "It may be some phenomena that we can't explain, but for some reason, these attacks have been moving from disorderly conduct cases to serious injury."
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