White Student Union Claims Towson Has Black-On-White Crime Problem
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- A student known for causing a bit of controversy on the campus of Towson University is now taking the law into his own hands in an effort to tackle what he believes to be a growing problem of black-on-white crime around campus.
Rochelle Ritchie spoke with the student behind the plan.
The founder of the White Student Union--which is not recognized by the university--says white women are the biggest target for crime committed by black men. Now he and his fellow members are standing up against it.
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Matthew Heimbach is not a stranger to stirring up controversy after starting a White Student Union on the campus of Towson University in which members chalked "white power" all over campus. Now he's organizing nightly patrols looking to report crimes--a majority, he says, committed by black males.
"Towson sends us reports every time a violent crime happens on campus and the one thing we always see is the offender is a black male between 18 and 24," said Heimbach.
Heimbach says there has been a spike in black-on-white crime, particularly with black male on white female crime, and he is tired of it being ignored.
"The idea is, as a Christian, to stand up for all human people, especially those who are being discriminated against and in this case attacked," Heimbach said.
"I think it's something that should be avoided altogether," said one student.
University officials say his effort are without merit.
"This campus is one of the safest in the entire state of Maryland," said Victor Collins.
According to the University System of Maryland, which monitors crime on campus, Towson University has the lowest crime statistics. Despite an increase in enrollment, violent crimes are down almost 38 percent.
Some students fear Heimbach's beliefs more than an actual criminal.
"I felt very safe, but when I heard about this, I was like, `Well, now I can't walk alone. I have to find a guy friend to walk me back to my dorm,'" said Alexandra Gainous.
In response to the White Student Union crime patrol, university officials say, "We do not encourage the general public to take the law into their own hands for both their personal safety and legal protection."
Some call Heimbach a racist. He says he is simply trying to serve his community.
"The White Student Union is just trying to be the vanguard to help our community," he said.
Heimbach says three males and one female armed with pepper spray will patrol the campus and report or place a person under citizen's arrest if they believe that person is committing a crime. Heimbach says if his group sees a non-white student being violated, they will step in and help.
Heimbach graduates in May.
