Lehigh University Police Department
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August 29, 2023 @ 0754hrs - Timely Warning: Robbery - Suspect Apprehended

At approximately 7:02 a.m. this morning, a Lehigh student was approached by a male in the area of Asa Drive. The male suspect demanded the Lehigh student's personal property. The Lehigh student called Lehigh police after they left the area. No weapon was seen or used and the student is uninjured. The suspect was taken into custody by Lehigh University police a few minutes later and will be charged.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Campus Safety/Lehigh University Police Department: (610) 758-4200.

Support resources are available: https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/support-resources

For students, the University Counseling and Psychological Services (UCPS) office, located in Johnson Hall, can be reached at 610-758-3880.

Info: https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=126632&t=198145425

Lehigh University

 

April 20, 2023 @ 1145hrs - Safety Bulletin - Non-Lehigh Classroom Announcements

A faculty member recently reported that someone who falsely identified themselves as being from "University Events" asked if they could make an announcement at the conclusion of a class. The individual said that the university was sponsoring trips to a comedy club at a discount and that students could purchase the tickets in the class or at the library.

Lehigh police have located, identified, and spoken with the responsible person and the individual has been informed this is not permitted and has been removed from campus. He has been asked not to return. 

 

Please be aware that these tickets are usually a scam.  Here are Picture examples:

https://www2.lehigh.edu/sites/www2/files/2023-04/image_50427905.JPGhttps://www2.lehigh.edu/sites/www2/files/2023-04/image_50370049.JPG

 

While the situation has been addressed, if anyone has related concerns or experiences such an incident, please contact Campus Safety by texting dispatch through the Hawk Watch app or by calling (610) 758-4200.

 

Info: https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=108070&t=170392571

 

Lehigh University

 

 

April 20, 2023 @ 1145hrs - Safety Bulletin

Safety Bulletin - Hate Crime

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

I am writing to share important information regarding a hate crime investigation that began over the weekend involving Lehigh students. The following is what Lehigh police know at this time.

A group of four white individuals whom Lehigh University police have concluded were not Lehigh-affiliated or from the Bethlehem area were driving on Lehigh’s campus and yelled racist comments directed at a Black Lehigh student who was with a group of Lehigh student friends. The Black Lehigh student ran after the car as a result of the hate speech before he disengaged and rejoined his group of friends walking on campus.

The suspects got out of their car, followed the Lehigh student group and assaulted our Lehigh student. After an ongoing verbal exchange, some of the suspects pursued the group of students into a campus residence hall, assaulting our student again. Thankfully, our student suffered no serious physical injuries. The student has requested anonymity to protect privacy.

The suspects left campus before the incident was reported to the Lehigh police. After the incident was reported and as a result of the investigation, Lehigh police identified the individuals involved and are evaluating criminal charges or a potential restorative justice resolution. The victim and the Lehigh students who witnessed the incidents are cooperating fully with the investigation. 

These racist comments and hate crime are deeply disturbing and upsetting. They affect not just the students involved, but also other Black students and individuals in the Lehigh community. Hate speech and violence are not tolerated on Lehigh’s campus. 

Although we strive to create a safe campus home for our students, dangerous situations are a possibility. 

  • If you feel unsure about whether or not to contact Campus Safety, call.   

  • Lehigh University Campus Safety and Lehigh police are available 24/7 at 8-4200 (on-campus) or (610) 758-4200 (off-campus). 

Students, faculty and staff who feel they are in danger or in a situation that feels “off” should feel comfortable quickly contacting Campus Safety and Lehigh police to help facilitate a timely and safe resolution for them and our Lehigh community.    

My heart goes out to the involved students and to all members of our community who are undoubtedly impacted by incidents of hate and discrimination. We will vigorously investigate these incidents and hold people accountable. 

Jason D. Schiffer

AVP, Campus Safety Division

Lehigh University Chief of Police

August 30, 2022 @ 1709hrs - Update to Timely Warning: Ongoing Investigation

Following up on yesterday's developments and the ongoing investigation (https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=95743), campus operations are continuing as communicated.

Campus buildings continue to be accessible by card access only until further notice; otherwise, campus is operating as normal.

LUPD continues to cooperate with the Bethlehem Police, the New York City Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies who are actively pursuing available leads and tips.

While we do not have reason to believe the individual who made the threats is in the Lehigh Valley at this time, as a reminder, we encourage all members of the community to be alert to their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the LUPD by calling (610) 758-4200.

We will provide another update tomorrow, or sooner if new information becomes available.

For prior updates, visit: https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/operating-status-normal-operations-updates-on-active-investigation

Chief Jason Schiffer 

Lehigh University Police Department

Info: https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=95817&t=99787739

 

August 29, 2022 @ 1639hrs - Update to Timely Warning: Ongoing Investigation

Following up on this morning's timely warning (https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=95695&t=98730628), we wanted to provide an update on the continuing investigation.

Campus continues to operate as usual at this time and the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) is continuing an increased presence of officers and security guards. LUPD continues to be in cooperation with Bethlehem Police, the New York City Police Department, and other law enforcement.

Buildings will continue to be accessible by card access ONLY until further notice.

The hotline for general inquiries will remain open until 11 p.m. ET this evening, at which time it will close.

As a reminder, we encourage all members of the community to be alert to your surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the LUPD by calling (610) 758-4200.

We will share updates with the campus community if there is an update on the investigation or if new information becomes available.

Chief Jason Schiffer

Lehigh University Police Department

Info: https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=95743&t=99064081

 

August 29, 2022 @ 1055hrs - Timely Warning: Active Investigation of Threat

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) was notified by several current students about a specific threat that was directed to a group of Lehigh students known to an individual identified as a former student, Muhamad Diop. This threat is unrelated to the incident shared with campus on Friday night.

His pictures can be found here: https://www2.lehigh.edu/sites/www2/files/2022-08/Diop_0.jpg and here: https://www2.lehigh.edu/sites/www2/files/2022-08/Diop%20TikTok%20%283%29.jpg

LUPD is assisting Bethlehem police with the active investigation; Bethlehem Police immediately obtained a warrant and the investigation revealed that Diop was in New York City.

We are issuing this warning this morning because his location can no longer be confirmed. There is no evidence the individual is in the Bethlehem area; however, the investigation is active and ongoing.

We are sharing this notification at this time because as of this morning the individual's whereabouts are unknown.

LUPD is cooperating with the Bethlehem Police Department, New York City Police Department, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals.

*******The Lehigh community will notice an increased police and security presence on campus. All buildings have been made accessible ONLY by card swipe at this time until further notice. Otherwise, classes are being held and campus is operating as usual at this time. *******

LUPD is in direct contact and is working with the students who received the threats and support is being provided by LUPD and the Dean of Students Office.

We encourage all members of the community to be alert to your surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the LUPD by calling (610) 758-4200.

Updates will be shared with the campus community as more information becomes available.

To aid in keeping dispatch lines clear, we are activating a hotline for general inquiries related to this investigation, which will be active in approximately one hour.

Visit: https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/operating-status for current information; the number for the hotline will be posted there when it is active.

Chief Jason SchifferLehigh University Police Department

 

March 8, 2022 1427hrs - Safety Bulletin: Trespassing Incidents and Safety Reminders

Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,

We wanted to make the community aware of reports received over the past two days regarding a non-Lehigh community member trespassing in Lehigh residence halls. This individual gained access by following student residents with ID access into the residence halls. After further investigation, Lehigh police determined that the suspect left without further incident and appeared to have gained access, walked around, and then immediately left the residence hall.

The Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) has identified the adult individual, who is not affiliated with Lehigh, and today, the individual is being charged with criminal trespass. Lehigh police have been in direct contact with the individual and their immediate family to resolve the trespassing incidents. Lehigh police also have followed up with the students who reported these incidents.

We wanted to take this opportunity to additionally remind members of the campus community of the following general safety reminders:

-Please remember to never prop open building doors. While it may seem polite, never hold a door to allow others to enter a building behind you without swiping their ID card to gain access.

-Remain alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you notice someone following you or notice that someone gained unauthorized access to a campus building or residence, contact the LUPD at 610-758-4200.

-For students living in the residence halls, never leave your door unlocked. Even though residence halls are accessible only by card access, if someone gains unauthorized access, keeping your door locked provides additional security.

-Regardless of where you live, secure all doors and windows and keep your residence locked at all times.

-Education is an important facet of campus safety. Read more safety tips on the LUPD website: https://police.lehigh.edu/content/safety-tips

Thank you, and if you have any questions about these tips or additional safety information, our Division of Campus Safety is available to assist you at 610-758-4200.

Chief Jason Schiffer

Lehigh University Police Department