Within just over the span of one week, there were three assaults near UW-Milwaukee’s campus, and each incident occurred between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., in broad daylight.

The first assault occurred Nov. 11 at 11:45 a.m., and students were alerted via the UWM Safe Alert messages about the incident and its location, on North Frederick Avenue. The second assault occurred the following day at 12:30 p.m. on North Oakland Avenue.

In response to the initial two assaults, the UWM Dean of Students sent an email to the student body on Nov. 13, acknowledging the students’ concern, informing students that the Milwaukee Police Department and UWM Police were investigating the two incidents and reminding students that there are resources available on campus.

Police sent an additional email the following day. In the email, UWM Police Chief Joe LeMire informed students that the suspect would appear in court on Nov. 15.

On Nov. 19, LeMire sent another email to students, faculty and staff updating the campus about the two assaults.

“Jaelen Durham has been charged with one count of state disorderly conduct in relation to the incidents that happened last week,” LeMire said in a campus-wide email, which was titled “Suspect charged in assaults near campus.” However, the criminal complaint has only charged him with one of the assaults.

Durham, 19, allegedly ran up behind a UWM student, wrapped his arms around her knees and picked her up, according to the complaint. The student began screaming and tried to hit him. Durham put her down and stared at her, and the student ran across Oakland Avenue into Noodles and Co. Durham paced back and forth outside of the restaurant.

During the arrested, Durham said he touched a student inappropriately close to Noodles and Co. He said he didn’t know the student, but his act was intentional and not a misunderstanding. Durham said it was spontaneous, but he regrets doing it.

If convicted, Durham, who has no prior criminal record, could be fined up to $1,000 and sent to jail for a maximum of 90 days.

While police only charged Durham for the Nov. 12 assault, LeMire indicated that when investigating a case “[one] might have great circumstantial evidence that it is the person that committed all of [the crimes],” but when presenting information to the district attorney’s office “[one] has to be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” He also provided a reminder that victims do not have to press charges if they do not want to.

The day LeMire sent that email, a third assault occurred, around 12:20 p.m. on the 3000 block of North Downer Avenue.  Students were alerted via the UWM Safe Alert system. 

In response to the most recent assault, LeMire told the UWM Post in a statement on behalf of the UWM Police Department: “We are aware that the Nov. 19 assault had occurred. We are, just like we were in the first ones, investigating the case with the Milwaukee Police Department. We have some solid leads that we are following up on.”

Students responded to the assaults in different ways. One student, Joey O’Neill created a petition to have B.O.S.S. operate 24/7 instead of its current hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. O’Neill claims to have started the petition “because the latest assault was right by [her] house,” and she has “always been concerned about other students’ safety.” Currently, there are over 5,000 signatures on the petition.

“You never blame a victim for being the victim of a crime, but there is always safety stuff you can tell people how to be less likely a victim,” LeMire said. He advises students “don’t make [yourself] look like a crime of opportunity.” Avoid walking with earbuds in and don’t stare at a cell phone while walking alone.

LeMire also discussed the RAVE Guardian safety app which has three main safety features: virtual safe-walk, an emergency button and a live chat.

UWM police are also working overtime in response to these events and created more daytime patrols from now until Thanksgiving. LeMire explained this is to “re-instill the sense of security” on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Overall, the UWM Police Department and LeMire want students to know that they are a resource to the students. “We [as a university] are still safe, we [UWM police] are still here and not giving up, and when these things do happen, we are going to solve them,” LeMire said.

SAFEWALK is available for students, faculty and staff around campus and surrounding areas from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. B.O.S.S., or “Be on the Safe Side” ride service is also available from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for UWM students. The RAVE Guardian safety app “allows users to interact with the police department through texting, confidential tips, location sharing, a call directory and a safety/resource content portal,” according to the UWM Police Department website.