After issuing an alert on March 4 after a female was sexually battered in a campus restroom, Los Medanos College President issued a campus-wide update on incident.
The incident happened Thursday at 9:05 pm Thursday where police services received a report of a sexual battery that took place on the campus in the women’s restroom on the 2nd flood of the main college complex.
The suspect is described as a 6ft tall white male adult in his mid-30’s, blue eyes and an average build. The suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with black bandanna covering his mouth and nose while wearing black leather gloves.
According to Bob Kratochvil, President of Los Medanos College, he has no additional information regarding the suspect other than the District and Pittsburg Police Departments are still working on the investigation.
“We continue to make support services available to the victim in this case. Our students and staff depend on a safe environment at LMC so an incident like this is something we treat with great concern and high importance,” said Kratochvil. “Our police department is taking steps to increase visibility and resources at the campus. We are looking internally to see what other security measures can be improved.”
Here is a copy of the campus-wide alert:
Dear LMC Community,
As you know from the messages shared via an emergency alert and emails earlier today, a sexual battery occurred on our Pittsburg Campus last night. For your reference, sexual battery is defined as “sexual touching without consent, and achieved with the threat of or use of force.” In light of this incident, follow-up information is being provided to let you know about additional steps the College and District are taking to address safety on our campuses.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, as District Police Services continues to work with the Pittsburg Police Department to pursue any leads regarding the assailant. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Police Services at (925) 439-1505. In addition to conducting the investigation, Police Services is taking immediate action to increase its visibility and resources at LMC.
Support services have been provided to, and will continue to be made available to, the victim in this case. Crisis intervention services are also available for students in distress – however, any students or employees in need of support can go to the Counseling Center.
Other measures already in place will continue, such as conducting routine tests of our emergency communications system. Additionally, each semester Police Services offers a student safety presentation – “Coffee with a Cop” – during which they provide resources for victims of domestic violence, along with discussions about dating relationships and sex crimes.
To protect yourself against crime – both on-campus and elsewhere – please make yourself aware of the following safety tips:
- Be alert of your surroundings at all times. Report any suspicious persons, behaviors, or situations to the Police immediately.
- When walking to your vehicle, have your keys ready in-hand. This will reduce time searching your pockets and bags at your vehicle.
- Avoid the use of cell phones and headphones, as these devices are distracting – often affecting the awareness of your surroundings.
- The LMC Lake is closed from sunset to sunrise, and signs to that effect are posted at the entrance and exit points. Please do not access the lake during the hours of closure.
Please note that Police Services can provide personal escorts in the evening – simply call (925) 439-1505 to request this service.
For more safety tips, you can visit the “Campus Safety & Security” page on our website: www.losmedanos.edu/safety/
