Attempted Burglary Causes Concern Among IHP Residents

The attempted burglary of an Independent Housing Program (IHP) apartment underscored student concerns that security efforts effected by the University to its fledgling emergency housing program are inadequate. The incident occurred on Sunday, Septem ber 14, in an apartment at 475 186th Street The apartment is a University-controlled studio occupied by Josh Muskat, Yossi Mosak, Benjamin Balint, and Alex Usdan.

Josh Muskat returned to his apartment in the evening. He had moderate difficulty opening his apartment door but thought little of it at the time. Once inside, he found that the dead bolt lock had been nearly entirely dislodged from his door and dangl ed tenuously with the support of a solitary screw.

Muskat relayed his findings to his roommates who promptly summoned YU Security officials to the scene. The New York Police Department was also alerted, however, its officers took a good deal longer to arrive. Both University Security and NYPD suspect ed that the would-be burglar attempted to kick down the door. They also observed that a protective steel door panel that adorns every other apartment door on the floor would probably prevent the effectiveness of this type of apartment break-in.

The IHP residents surveyed their building and observed that virtually every door in the building except those that the University is utilizing for the Independent Housing Program bore a protective steel panel. They were displeased that their apartment had not been furnished with basic protection and contended that the University was saving money at the expense of student safety.

Yossi Mosak, a YC senior, wondered why "Stern has security personnel operating elevators in Brookdale [Hall] and serving as glorified doormen while I can't even be assured that my University residence is minimally protected from the dangers of a rough neighborhood."

Current University-provided protection measures directed at maintaining the security of Independent Housing Program apartments are limited to a patrol by a Daihatsu security vehicle that circles the region of the brick tenements and a University securi ty escort service for those who request it. Unlike residents of the adjacent University dormitories, IHP residents do not enjoy the protection of a constant security presence in their buildings.

Students have requested additional University protective provisions to allay their concerns with security matters. Some propositions advanced by students include alarm system installation, triple locks, and protective steel door panels that would imp ede the picking of locks.

Belief that current security conditions are inadequate was not, however, shared by all. University Chief of Security Donald Sommers indicated his conviction that "current security measures are sufficient. All necessary precautions are being taken to make sure students are safe."

Dean of Student Services Dr. Efrem Nulman expressed his interest in "doing his utmost to make sure students are secure. I want them to feel safe and more importantly to be safe." He also noted that an IHP student representative body was assembled to provide students with a mechanism for voicing concerns with the apartments.

The representative body which Nulman mentioned is to be comprised of IHP residents designated by YCSC President Ira L. Tannenbaum Jr. Delegates include IHP Resident Advisor Avi Goldenberg in addition to other students not associated with the Office of Residence Halls. At press time, however, the body had had two scheduled meetings postponed and had not yet conducted a session.