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.
Booted vehicles
Between March 26 and April 7, there were seven booted vehicles on campus. A vehicle is eligible to be booted if it has three or more unpaid citations. Campus Police has reported an increase in the number of car boots compared to previous years, largely due to AIMS, the police station’s new parking management system.
March 25: Sink or swim
Campus Police received a call from Ewing Police at approximately 6:22 p.m. regarding a 15-year-old male who fell off a diving board at Packer Hall while practicing and injured his ankle. The patient slipped and appeared to have a broken ankle, with visible scrapes and bleeding on the left side of his foot. Ewing EMS arrived on scene at approximately 6:38 p.m., applied a splint to the injured ankle, and transported the patient to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
March 25: Laundry mishap
At approximately 5:36 p.m., smoke was reported coming from the laundry room on the first floor of Phelps Hall. Upon arrival at 5:37 p.m., Campus Police observed thick smoke throughout the room, though no fire was present and the fire alarm had not been activated. Ewing Township Fire Department and West Trenton Fire Department arrived at around 5:42 p.m.
After testing each dryer with a heat sensor, Dryer 4 was identified as the likely source due to its high temperature. It was taken out of service, unplugged and moved to prevent further use. A high-powered fan was used to ventilate the area, and TCNJ Fire Safety and TCNJ Facilities were notified and responded to the incident.
March 27: Medical report
Campus Police were dispatched to Brower Student Center at approximately 2:08 p.m. on the report of a student who experienced a seizure near the pool tables. Upon arrival, they met with the caller and the patient, who was seated on the floor, conscious and alert. The student had a minor abrasion on the left side of his face. The seizure occurred around 2:03 p.m., during which he was unconscious for about 2-3 minutes. Ewing EMS arrived at 2:15 p.m., but the student refused further medical attention.
March 29: Lights out
After a Travers Hall resident reported that the light above her sink had caught on fire, Campus Police arrived on scene at approximately 2:19 p.m. Strobes and audibles were active and officers discovered the light above the sink was on fire with heavy smoke coming from the room. Ewing Fire Department and Prospect Heights Fire Department arrived on scene around 2:23 p.m. Campus Police used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
No injuries were reported, and the residents were relocated to another residence. The fire was determined to have been caused by a bad light ballast. Travers Hall was reoccupied by 2:58 p.m.
March 30: Medical report
Campus Police was dispatched to Brower Student Center for a report of a student feeling ill. Upon arrival, they found the student seated in a chair, conscious and alert. The student reported feeling lightheaded and dizzy while giving a speech. Ewing EMS arrived shortly after to assist, and after evaluating the student, he declined any further medical assistance.
March 31: Medical report
At approximately 12:21 p.m., Campus Police arrived at Forcina Hall for a report of a female who had passed out. Upon arrival, they found the student lying on the floor, alert and conscious. She reported feeling dizzy and lightheaded before fainting and stated that she has asthma but did not have her inhaler with her.
Ewing EMS arrived at 12:27 p.m., assumed patient care and transported her to Capital Health Hopewell for further medical treatment.
April 1: Misstep
After a student fell down the stairs in the Music Building, Campus Police were dispatched at approximately 12:35 p.m. The patient was found seated upright, holding her right ankle. She reported that she had missed the last step, resulting in a tight sensation in her ankle and an inability to move her toes or ankle. Ewing EMS arrived on scene at 12:48 p.m. and assumed patient care. The patient was transported to Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell for further medical assistance.
April 5: Fall victim
Campus Police was dispatched to Lot 13 for a report of a fall victim at 10:51 a.m. Ewing EMS also responded and found the student seated at the base of the Lot 13 staircase by the elevator. The student explained that while walking down the stairs and texting on her phone, she missed the last two steps, rolled her ankle and fell forward. She had sustained minor abrasions to her hands and left knee and believed she had sprained her left ankle. After being evaluated by Ewing EMS, the student declined further medical assistance.
April 6: Burnt bacon
At approximately 3:27 p.m., responders were dispatched to Centennial Hall for an active fire alarm in the first-floor kitchen. Emergency strobes and audibles were activated, and an odor of cooked food was present, but no smoke or fire was found in the kitchen. The countertops were covered with very crispy bacon and other breakfast items. The stove had been shut off, and the bacon was removed from the pan before arrival.
The Ewing Fire Department arrived at 3:33 p.m. and determined the cause of the alarm activation to be careless cooking. Centennial Hall was cleared to occupy at 3:37 p.m.
