Muggers hit Zimple

The Tulane University Police Department is working to improve safety in the streets adjacent to campus following a robbery at 4 a.m. April 14 on the 7400 block of Zimple Street. TUPD was unsure if the robbery was connected to crimes that occurred earlier in the school year.

Two men approached a student and demanded his wallet. They took his cash and then returned the wallet to the student.

TUPD Sergeant Clinton Rollin said the department increases surveillance after all armed robberies. Both plainclothes and uniformed officers patrol the area to deter future crimes.

“Whenever we have an instance like that, the [New Orleans Police Department] second district Commander Bruce Little and [TUPD Chief Danny Lawless] always try to saturate the area to put more eyes there,” Rollin said. “We try to push them out of the neighborhood with the deterrent effect of marked vehicles. With plainclothes cars or unmarked cars you’re in apprehension mode. You try to sneak around to see if you can jump the guy in the act or stop suspicious people in the area who maybe match the description.”

Increased surveillance usually begins in the area around the crime scene the night following a crime.

“If we a have robbery one night, those plans are in effect the next night, and we usually have a crime report within 24 hours,” Rollins said.
Students who live in the area said they do not feel severely threatened by crime, though they do take precautions.

“I don’t use Safe Ride, but I don’t walk home alone,” said junior Caroline Goodman, who lives near Freret and Lowerline Streets. “Usually I walk in groups. This mugging hasn’t changed how I behave at night. I tend to walk in groups because of last year’s events.”

Junior Michael Maizel, who lives near Zimple and Hillary Streets, said he was already cautious before the robbery.

“I’ve always sort of erred on the side of caution in the area,” Maizel said. “I lock all the doors and make sure everything is very secure. I wasn’t aware of the mugging, but if you live off campus, it’s definitely good to be cautious in the area.”

Rollin said the best way to prevent crime is to use common sense.

“Risk awareness is something the students need to take seriously,” Rollin said. “Utilize the Safe Ride shuttle. Trying to remove the opportunity for the criminal and the victim to meet up is really the best thing students or anyone can do to lessen their likelihood of becoming a victim.”