 "Photo: Photo by Will Trentman")
Two sexual assaults were committed just feet away from the typical paths of students only a week before classes started.
Today, HCC has increased security around all campuses in response to the heinous crimes committed.
According to police reports, on Monday, Aug. 17, a student at Hawks Landing was held against her will and robbed at knife point. The event escalated as the suspect Alexander Blayre Wingo, 17, returned with a stolen debit card from the student and demanded more money.
Unable to supply Wingo with additional funds, the student was sexually assaulted and left tied up, until she was able to free herself. Around 6:25 p.m., the victim was able to contact police.
Two days later a similar chill was felt down the spines of Ybor commuters.
Around 3 p.m. on Aug. 19, a woman walking to her vehicle was approached by a suspect in the Palm Parking Garage, who punched the victim several times and attempted to commit a sexual battery, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Unsuccessful, the suspect fled the crime scene and was later located at Nebraska Avenue and Estelle Street by TPD while attempting to board a Hartline bus.
The aftermath of these terrible events has caused HCC security to reform and expand their tactics not only to ensure safety, but also to set an ease of mind as well.
Debra Magwood, Public Safety Lead Officer of Ybor, is a part of the school’s security team that patrols the campus to help prevent unfortunate incidents.
“We have added on extra security, with more patrol routes, with a patrol cart that patrols the campus, as well as the garage,” said Magwood. “At night, we also have added another security guard to patrol the campus, as well as the walk way.”
The security patrol routes also include keeping a watch on the faculty and student lots in front of the Ybor building.
Security has also beefed up at Dale Mabry and Hawks Landing.
The incident has caused HCC to increase their efforts with TPD assistance according to Ashley Carl, Director of Public Relations for HCC.
“HCC has a pro-active cooperation with the TPD,” said Carl. “The increased security will not only cover patrollers in Hawks Landing, but will increase the building security as well.”
The building will see modifications to its gate, as well as its surrounding office areas.
The entrance gate arm will be replaced by a sliding gate to prevent breach access. A fence will also be reinforcing the office areas.
A new concept in progress is a required I.D. scan to record whoever enters Hawks Landing, according to Carl.
“The I.D. scan will be a great deterrent to trespassers and potential crime,” said Carl.
Some students have been shaken from events HCC has faced, while others such as Eric Rodriquez, 20, Dale Mabry, have been left undisturbed.
“The incident at Hawks Landing was tragic,” said Rodriguez.
“Don’t get me wrong, but I don’t live there so it’s not a huge impact, it’s just tragic.”
Moving forward into the future, security will continue to patrol, and protect the students throughout the year, keeping up with their increased patrol.
“Students can feel safe knowing they are protected by our security, and if they feel threatened they should call us on the extension if they are in the building, or the security cell phone while about campus,” said Magwood.
The security cell phone number is 813 785 5029, for students wishing to program it into their cell phones. If calling from an in-house phone, the emergency extension is 7911.
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