Following two recent alleged assaults in the North Village, some students say they have become increasingly concerned for their safety and more conscientious of their surroundings.
In the past week, two female students have reported being assaulted in Westwood in the very early hours of the morning.
On May 15, a woman was returning to her apartment building at 685 Kelton Ave. around 2:25 a.m. when she was allegedly confronted by a man in the lobby. The man allegedly grabbed the woman in a choke hold and hit her head against the wall before fleeing.
In the second incident, which allegedly occurred early Friday morning, a woman was walking alone along Gayley Avenue at about 3:50 a.m. when someone allegedly grabbed her from behind by the neck and shoulders and struck her on the head, according to university police.
The woman said she escaped, but was not able to see her alleged attacker.
So far, police have not said whether they believe the two incidents are related.
Diana Campos, a third-year ecology, behavior and evolution student, said the reports worry her, especially since she lives in the North Village and sometimes walks home alone.
“That makes me really concerned,” she said. “I’m on campus really late. … I think I’d definitely start walking with a buddy.”
Tippy Ussavanarong, a third-year communication studies student, also expressed concern about how students are informed of such incidents, noting that she had not heard about the recent alleged assaults.
“I didn’t hear about it, which is concerning,” she said. “You’d think we’d get alerted about crimes of that nature.”
UCPD issued two crime alerts on its Web site in response to the alleged assaults, urging students to avoid walking alone, especially at night, and to report any suspicious behavior to police.
Those alerts were e-mailed to people on UCLA’s campus safety listservs, which include resident directors on the Hill and building coordinators across campus.
In the alerts, police suggested alternatives to walking home alone, including calling a police escort before 1 a.m. or walking in groups or arranging transportation later in the evening.
Police also said if students believe they are being followed, or if someone is loitering near their car or building, they should immediately proceed to a public, well-lit area.
Kat Wang, a second-year undeclared student, said she believes since UCLA is an urban school, crime is an inevitable part of students’ lives.
“I think it’s something everyone can expect,” she said. “This is the city, this is L.A. Everyone should know.”
Ussavanarong also said she believes students often overlook the possibility of crime in Westwood.
“(Students think), “˜Oh, it’s Westwood, everyone’s out,'” she said.
But despite the two recent reports, Wang said she likely would not change her behavior in any significant way.
She said she generally feels safe walking home alone late at night, and would probably continue to do so.
Anyone with information about the alleged assaults in the North Village should contact UCPD Detective Terry Brown at (310) 825-1491.