On Alert: Another Robbery In Towson Prompts Task Force Creation
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Towson -- on edge. There have been several armed robberies and a stabbing. Now county leaders are taking action to improve safety.
Monique Griego takes a closer look at what's being done.
Thousands of students walk through the affected area every day. The task force is being created to improve safety.
It started with the robbery and vicious stabbing of a Towson University student. And within just four days, unknown suspects threatened and robbed two more students as they walked in the same community between Towson and Goucher College.
"It kind of scares me, not going to lie," said Nicole D'Angelo, Towson student.
"I'd be freaked out walking alone at night off campus," said Nicole Shuster, Towson student.
The first attack happened Sunday on Burke Avenue. The very next day, one block away, a second student -- this time from Goucher -- was robbed at knifepoint. Thursday brought a third incident near Fairmount Avenue and Towsongate Drive.
That's where the Towson student says two suspects wearing black hooded sweatshirts and black tape over their mouths got out of a car and demanded her purse. Unlike the first two robberies, this time no weapon was involved.
The victim told police the vehicle was a tan Nissan and described the suspects as thin black males around 5'8".
"That's been the real problem is that these incidents are involving students," said David Marks, Baltimore County Council District 5.
Marks says the violent nature of the robberies are why he decided to create a new task force to improve security.
"This is a very dark corridor in some areas and I think the lighting could clearly improve. I think the second thing we could do is improve awareness among students," Marks said.
Towson University has warned students about being distracted and police are already increasing patrols in the area. But with the suspects still on the loose, many students are taking their own precautions.
"Puts us more aware of where we go at night. But we're always traveling in groups," said Towson student Nate Swartz.
The task force plans to start some of the safety improvements by the end of the year.
The student that was stabbed remains in the hospital in serious condition.
Other Local News:
