A UW student was attacked after exchanging words with a group north of campus last week near Northeast 47th Street and 19th Avenue Northeast, sustaining injuries to his face.

According to a Seattle Police Department (SPD) report, another group attack occurred June 5 at Northeast 43rd Street and Brooklyn Avenue Northeast. The group reported being attacked by another after suspects made “wolf calls” that sparked a fight and resulted in one victim sustaining facial injuries.

The incidents appear to be similar, however, only one was reported to the university community.

“I lived here on the Ave for a couple of months, and I really didn’t hear about anything I saw going on,” said junior Marleigh Thomassen who moved to Capitol Hill, where she feels safer walking alone at night. “If there was a group that was attacked, I would like to know about it.”

Timely warning notifications are part of the UW’s adherence to the Clery Act, which dictates that universities must notify the community of crimes that appear to be a threat to students and employees in order to maintain federal funding.

“Normally, we’re talking [about crimes that occur] on campus or in a reasonable proximity,” said UWPD Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier regarding which incidents fall under the Clery Act. “If something happens in that area, we’re going to provide information.”

Notifications are usually sent regarding criminal activity in the U-District, but some assaults are not reported to the community.

On June 19, SPD officers responded to an incident at Northeast 43rd Street and the Ave, apprehending an intoxicated man who had been removed from a bar by the staff and began swinging a knife while challenging bystanders. An individual who attempted to confront the suspect was slashed in the face and sustained a stab wound to his upper arm.

A timely warning notification was not sent about the incident.

“We look at each one of [the crimes] individually,” Wittmier said. “We try to review all cases of crimes against persons to determine if it could be an ongoing threat to our community.”

While some students who live in the area see first-hand that certain crimes are not reported as timely warning notifications, others expect notification of all violent crimes that occur in the U-District.

“I always thought I was hearing about all the serious crimes, resolved and unresolved,” said Stevens Court resident Delores Mondragon, who frequently walks home alone from the library at night.

Other students don’t feel that notifications play a significant role in the safety of the UW community.

“It seems to be inevitable that crime is going to happen, regardless of the notifications,” said student Aaron Voros who lives north of campus. He received a timely warning notification days after his friend was mugged several months ago.

“Since then, I haven’t taken them quite as seriously,” he said.

Some members of the community are concerned the inconsistencies of crimes being reported to students may alter perceptions of criminal activity in the area; indeed, they feel that hearing about incidents where perpetrators are caught would make them feel safer in the U-District.

“It makes sure we’re all aware so we’re not ignorant and we don’t get into any situations,” said student Kalanit Kress, who lives on Greek Row and frequently goes to the Ave at night. “I like knowing that it’s a little safer, that someone’s not out there causing chaos on the streets.”

The UWPD feels that sending notifications to students in and of itself can heighten perceptions of crime.

“I think we already, in a lot of ways, make the public believe that there’s more crime out there than the average community by how often we put things out,” Wittmier said. “It’s a careful balance so that we don’t overload them with information such that they would discount the e-mails that have what would be deemed more important information.”

While some students agree, other members of the UW community assume they are, and feel they should, be informed of all significant crimes that occur in the U-District.

“I think there should be some sort of public forum where students can find out about crime in the U-District,” said graduate student Lisel Koepl, who tries to avoid the Ave at night. “I don’t think there should be any sort of filter.”

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