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 April 8 and April 21, there were nine 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.
April 2-7: Credit card theft
A non-resident reported a stolen credit card after using the Campus Town gym on April 1. The card had been kept inside a wallet in one of the gym lockers. Later that day, a $105.95 charge was made on the card at the Barnes & Noble in Campus Town. Campus Police reviewed camera footage and a list of all swipes that entered the gym on April 1. They identified a suspect who had entered the gym at 9:19 a.m. and left at 10:05 a.m., which was consistent with the reported timeframe. Footage from Barnes & Noble also confirmed the suspect purchasing the Starbucks at 10:11 a.m.
Using TCNJ PAWS, authorities gathered a phone number and contacted the individual. During an interview on April 7, the suspect admitted to taking the Visa debit card from a wallet left on a gym bench and using it to buy a Visa gift card. He was advised that he would be placed under arrest and charged accordingly.
April 10: Medical emergency
At approximately 5:12 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to Brower Student Center for a report of a student experiencing a seizure. The student had visible red marks on his face, and was conscious but disoriented. Ewing EMS arrived at 5:21 p.m. and evaluated the student. He declined further medical attention and stated that he was going to walk back to his residence.
April 13: Burning odor
A strong burning odor was reported in the hallway near the dispatch center at Campus Police Headquarters. As officers traced the odor, it became stronger near the conference room and the back office area. Ewing Fire Department and Prospect Heights Fire Company arrived by 8:56 p.m. After investigating, they determined the source was a failed motor in the building’s roof handler unit due to a belt that had fallen off.
April 14: Medical emergency
A student reported feeling unwell after a seizure episode at 1:42 p.m. in the Education Building. He remained alert, stating that he hadn’t lost consciousness, though he briefly zoned out. EMS assessed his condition, and he declined further medical attention.
April 15: Too much laundry
A fire alarm was activated in Travers Hall shortly after midnight. Upon the arrival of Campus Police, strobes and audibles were activated and the building was evacuated. Smoke and an odor of burning rubber were coming from the laundry room on the ninth floor. Upon entering the laundry room, a noticeable amount of smoke was coming from a washing machine. Ewing Township Fire Department arrived on the scene and confirmed the odor was due to the machine being overloaded. A work order was submitted and students were allowed to reoccupy the building.
April 16: Edible
At approximately 1:07 a.m., Campus Police responded to Wolfe Hall for a report of a male student experiencing paranoia and shakiness after taking an edible. Upon arrival, the student was found sitting in a chair in his dorm room. A Community Advisor reported that the student took about 100 mg of edibles. The student was visibly shaking and had difficulty standing. It was also reported that the student had taken a shot of alcohol and was experiencing a rapid heart rate.
Ewing EMS arrived on the scene and assumed patient care. The student was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
April 16: Gas leak
At approximately 5:08 p.m., a vendor in the Brower Student Center reported a strong smell of gas coming from the kitchen area. Campus Police were advised to utilize a pull station to begin an evacuation. Upon arrival, officers were directed by a kitchen employee to the back area of the kitchen. After inspection by the Ewing Fire Department, the source of the odor was determined to be a pilot light that had gone out, causing a small gas leak. The fire department cleared the scene, reset the fire panel, and confirmed there was no further threat. Student workers were informed that the building was safe to re-enter.
April 16: Basketball injury
After a female student sustained a head injury while playing basketball in the Rec Center, Campus Police arrived on the scene at approximately 9:18 p.m. TCNJ EMS was already on the scene and attending to the student, who was seated on the floor. The student was struck in the back of the head by an elbow during a game, causing her to fall and hit her head on the ground. She was transported to Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell for further evaluation.
April 18: Burnt popcorn
A fire alarm was activated in Wolfe Hall at approximately 2:25 a.m. Upon arrival, strobes and audible alarms were activated and residents were evacuating the building. There were no visible signs of fire or smoke within the rooms. However, an odor of burnt popcorn led Campus Police to a trash chute near one of the rooms, where they discovered a bag of popcorn that had been burned and doused with water before being thrown away. Ewing Fire Department arrived on scene and determined there was no threat. Residents were allowed to return at approximately 2:45 a.m.
April 18: Intoxicated student
Campus Police were dispatched to Cromwell Hall for a report of an intoxicated female vomiting at approximately 8:10 p.m. Officers found the student in the bathroom, hunched over the toilet. The student had consumed several shots of Tito’s and a few cans of Surfside at a party off campus. TCNJ EMS assumed patient care at 8:16 p.m., and Ewing EMS arrived shortly after. The student was transported to Capital Health Hopewell for further medical attention. She was granted amnesty under New Jersey’s 911 Lifeline Legislation.
April 20: Elliptical misstep
At approximately 3:14 p.m., Campus Police responded to the Fitness Center in Campus Town for a report of a student with a leg injury. The student was found seated on the floor with an ice pack on his left ankle. He stated he had misstepped while using the elliptical machine, causing him to roll his ankle. Ewing EMS arrived and transported him to Capital Health in Hopewell for further evaluation and treatment.
