In Wake of Brick Attack on Student, Temple U. Urges Wariness
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Temple University officials are sounding the alarm after several students were targeted in a series of off-campus attacks.
Today, a 19-year-old Temple student is facing reconstructive dental surgery as Philadelphia police searched for her attackers, a group of teenage girls.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Five Girls in Custody in Connection with Brick Attack.
A lengthy e-mail sent last night to the entire campus community included a list of cautionary tips: be aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas, and avoid conversations with strangers.
Temple spokesman Ray Betzner says the alert also reminds students about available services.
"If students are in the area and they feel uncomfortable walking from one building to the next, they call Campus Safety and we will escort them from one area to the next," he explains.
The 19-year-old victim had two teeth dislodged after one of her attackers hit her in the face with a brick (see related stories). She and her boyfriend were attacked by four teenaged girls as they walked along Norris Street.
The e-mail alert says all of the recent attacks have happened west of the campus, in the vicinity of 17th Street.
