By Alena Bitonti
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The Signal and Campus Police work together on a weekly basis to inform the campus community about crime on and around campus. All records given to The Signal are public records and do not contain personal information. Some information provided may be triggering for some students.
Dec. 17: Carjacking on campus
The campus community was informed via email at approximately 6:10 p.m. of a suspected armed carjacking incident that occurred on the top level of Lot 7. The stolen vehicle fled off campus in an unknown direction.
On Jan. 30, Chief of Police Timothy Grant sent an email providing an update. No members of the campus community were involved as criminals or victims in the incident, and the stolen vehicle has been recovered. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the crime. The investigation is ongoing.
Dec. 24: All I want for Christmas is a flooded townhouse
A fire alarm at Townhouse South was triggered due to a burst heating pipe, caused by an open window. Water leaked from the first-floor ceiling, spreading across the floor and into multiple rooms. At 9:50 a.m., Ewing Township Fire Department and Prospect Heights Fire Department arrived on the scene.
Despite attempts to silence the alarm, they were unsuccessful. By 9:59 a.m., the College’s HVAC specialists and building services were contacted for assistance. Students were relocated for the time being. At 10:52 a.m., the alarm system was reset and returned to normal, allowing students to remain in residence.
Jan. 7: Burnt burrito
At 7:45 p.m., Campus Police arrived at Travers Hall after a caller reported an unclear fire alarm panel reading. The panel showed no active alarms, but the system indicated a fire alarm activation. Upon entering the third floor, officers noticed a faint cooking odor that grew stronger and a slight haze in the hallway.
It was determined that a resident had been cooking a burrito on a hot plate, causing the alarm to sound. The student attempted to silence it by fanning air below the smoke detector head, and the audible alarm stopped. The Ewing Fire Department arrived on the scene, and the resident was instructed to open windows. The alarm was reset and all units cleared the scene.
Jan. 14: Smoke break gone wrong
Campus Police were dispatched to Lot 7 for a fire alarm activation. Upon arrival, the audible alarm and lights were activated. The fire alarm panel indicated smoke detection in the Stairwell 1 elevator shaft. The Ewing Fire Department squad arrived on scene and determined that smoke from a cigar activated the alarm. The cigar was already extinguished by the time of their arrival, and the alarm was reset.
Jan. 15: Please no more hot plates
Campus Police were dispatched to the third floor on Travers Hall at 11:20 a.m. in response to an active fire alarm. The source was traced to a hot plate sitting on a desk, along with an order of burnt food, but no signs of fire.
Ewing Township Fire Department and Prospect Heights Fire Department arrived at 11:30 a.m. and determined there was no threat to life or property. The alarm was reset, and the resident was advised that hot plates were not permitted in dorm rooms.
Jan. 27: Forcina Hall allergic reaction
A female student self-administered an EpiPen in Forcina Hall at 10:27 a.m. after experiencing an allergic reaction. Campus Police arrived at 10:35 a.m. and found the student sitting in the last row of the classroom, alert and not in immediate distress. The student told Campus Police that she had eaten an energy bar which she was unaware contained nuts, and her throat began to close up.
EMS arrived at approximately 10:45 a.m. and seated the patient on a stretcher to perform their own evaluation and questioning. Due to an elevated heart rate and throat pain, she was transported to Capital Health Medical Center.
Jan. 28: Unconscious student
Campus Police were dispatched to Trenton Hall after a student passed out, hit her head, and was found unconscious and bleeding. Upon arrival at 9:40 a.m., officers found the student seated in a wheelchair. She had bruising on her face and dried blood in her hair. Her head laceration had stopped bleeding and did not require further care. She was transported to Capital Health Medical Center for further evaluation.
Jan 28: Car break-in
The campus community was informed via email of a burglary and attempted car theft of a 2015 Hyundai that was parked in Lot 7. The email stated that investigators have reason to believe the thieves are targeting older model Hyundais.
Campus Police gave away a limited number of The Club-style steering wheel-locking devices on a first-come, first-served basis. The investigation is ongoing.
Jan. 28: Intoxicated student
At 11:30 p.m., Campus Police responded to a report of an intoxicated student in Cromwell Hall. The female student was lying on the ground and going in and out of consciousness. She was accompanied by three others who repeatedly called her name, causing her to respond. The student began to vomit in a garbage bucket.
EMS arrived at 11:33 p.m. and took over care. The student had consumed approximately eight shots of Pink Whitney vodka. As TCNJ EMS monitored her vitals, she continued vomiting. Campus Police found the bottle of Pink Whitney in a backpack under her bed.
Ewing Township EMS arrived at 11:42 p.m. and transported her to Capital Health Medical Center for further medical assistance. TCNJ ProStaff confiscated the alcohol, but no charges were filed under New Jersey’s Lifeline Amnesty Law.
Jan. 29: Seizure
On a report of a student having a seizure in the Education Building, Campus Police arrived on scene at approximately 3:35 p.m. They found the student alert and conscious but struggling to answer basic questions about his location and the day of the week.
EMS arrived at 3:40 p.m. and took over patient care. The student refused further medical assistance, but EMS advised the student that if he were to have another seizure that day, he would be transported to the hospital.
Jan. 29: Medical emergency in New Res
A student in New Residence Hall was transported to Capital Health Medical Center experiencing fatigue, a headache, and a numbing sensation. Upon arrival at 11:32 p.m., Campus Police found the student laying on his bed alert and conscious. At 11:35 p.m., TCNJ EMS arrived and assumed patient care.
The student reported having difficulty walking from Wolfe Hall to New Residence Hall to see his girlfriend and had been feeling ill since approximately 10:30 p.m. According to the student's girlfriend, his symptoms worsened over time and Excedrin was the only medication he had taken.
Jan. 30: Booted
While conducting parking enforcement in Lot 17, Campus Police booted a gray Ford Focus. The vehicle with New Jersey registration had three unpaid citations totaling $150, making it bootable. Two additional tickets were issued — one for not having a valid decal and another for the boot placement — bringing the total outstanding fines to $250.
February 2: Bad lunch in Eick
A student in the dining hall reported feeling faint at approximately 12 p.m. TCNJ dispatch was called, and upon arrival of Campus Police, the student mentioned that her stomach was upset and she was not feeling well. Ewing EMS arrived and evaluated the student, who declined medical attention and transport. The student returned to the dining hall.
