Students and employees are encouraged to be vigilant after recent incidents off campus in the downtown Morgantown area.
West Virginia University Police received information from the Morgantown Police Department about a stabbing that happened just before 1 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 on High Street. A suspect was arrested a short time later. Morgantown Police officers responded to a similar incident along High Street on Sept. 14.
“While both of these appear to be isolated cases where the people involved likely knew each other, they serve as a reminder to be aware of your surroundings,” UPD Capt. Sherry St. Clair said. “Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation or look for help, and if you see a potentially dangerous situation or crime happening, call 911 right away.”
The University uses its WVU Alert system to inform the campus and surrounding community about emergencies and incidents on or near the Morgantown campus. The system includes a three-tiered notification system – WVU Alert, Campus Warning and Community Notice – guided by the Clery Act and a Clery Geography map.
Both incidents in September happened off campus and fall into the Community Notice tier of the Alert System when police do not believe there is a continued threat to the campus community. As a result, the University is sharing information about the crimes to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
- If you believe you are in danger, immediately call 911.
- Download WVU’s LiveSafe app.
- Carry a small flashlight on your key chain. If you feel like you are being followed, cross the street, yell, run and look for a well-lit area. Use the buddy system and watch out for each other.
- If you encounter an emergency on campus, use the blue light emergency call system if available.
- If possible, don’t walk alone late at night. Walk in groups when you can—there is safety in numbers.
- Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. They are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- If harassed or assaulted, scream and try to run for safety.
- Know your neighborhood. Identify police and fire stations, libraries, emergency telephones – as well as the hours of operation of local stores and restaurants.
West Virginia University Resources:
- WVU Police Department – 911 | 304-293-2677 | 304-293-3136
- WVU CARE Team
- WVU Carruth Center – 304-293-4431
- WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – 304-293-5600
- WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities – 304-293-8111
- WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program – 304-293-5590
- WVU Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center – 304-292-5100
- WVU Office of Campus and Community Life – 304-293-5611
- WVU Student Health Service – 304-285-7200
- WVU Division of Student Life – 304-293-5811
- WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program – 304-293-5590
Learn more about WVU’s three-tiered emergency notification system.
Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and also available at police.wvu.edu.
Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page and @WVUsafety on Twitter.