UT students want more communication, action from school after West Campus crimes spike
Students at the University of Texas are concerned about a spike in crime in West Campus after a man accused of being a "violent offender" who was arrested three times in three days last week was again released from jail, the university said in a statement.
UT police confirmed that Aymen Labidi, 23, was arrested three times within three days after the county attorney's office rereleased him. On Wednesday, Labidi is accused of attacking a 19-year-old male outside of a restaurant in West Campus about 4:32 p.m., according to a police report in which officers classified the incident as an assault. Later that evening, about 7:09 p.m., UT police arrested Labidi for disorderly conduct on West 25th Street, another report said. Officials said Labidi is accused of a committing third incident later in week, though that police report was not available by Monday afternoon.
In a statement shared by the university, UT System board chairman Kevin Eltife said the university and the system have taken steps to improve safety in West Campus and promptly arrest violent suspects, "but arrests are not enough."
"We must be able to work hand in hand with prosecutors and the local judicial system to make sure these offenders stay off our campus," Eltife said.
Multiple students who spoke to the American-Statesman said they were scared to walk home alone at night in West Campus and are concerned by a recent crimes spike.
"I'm just not understanding why the (city) keeps re-releasing someone who's very obviously not going to stop their behavior," Lila McAnally, a UT sophomore said Monday.
Navya Rao, a senior at UT, has been checking news outlets for updates on crimes around campus and she wants the university to better communicate information when there are multiple incidents. With her roommate away this week, she's been more on edge, she said.
"I've been a lot more scared," Rao said. "Even when I leave my apartment, I try to have a mechanism so I can make sure the door hasn't been opened before I re-enter."
Diana Melendez, senior counsel for communications at the Travis County attorney's office, said safety is the office's "top priority." She said the office does not comment on pending cases, but generally, a suspect can be released from jail after a court order or posting bond while their case is pending.
"We have been in contact with law enforcement for the situations that occurred close to the UT campus last week and will continue to coordinate efforts to achieve the best possible results for all involved," Melendez said in a statement. "County Attorney (Delia) Garza has always met with members of our community and continues to engage to answer questions and provide correct information on how the criminal justice system operates."
Interim UT President Jim Davis implored local officials to take greater action in phone calls Friday, including reaching out to Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown.
'This must change," Davis said Friday. "We must find a solution. Our students and their families are counting on it."
Hector Nieto, a Travis County spokesperson, said Brown looks forward to working with UT on systematic solutions, such as a "mental health jail diversion center that helps meet the needs of the campus community and Travis County."
McAnally said she wished UT communicated more with students and staff about incidents on or near campus, particularly violent events, even when they involved people who are not affiliated with the university or haven't been identified.
Last week, though no foul play is suspected in either case, two bodies were found on campus, which has also contributed to students' worry, she said.
She said she also wants more communication about safety resources. The university is in its second year of West Campus Ambassadors, a program to beautify and increase safety in the popular UT-student neighborhood by escorting students to their destinations during evenings, installing safety features and helping officers and students detect and respond to "unwanted activity." McAnally, however, said she isn't aware of how to take advantage of the program's resources.
Iliana Dentchev, a junior, said that a man Saturday who appeared to be unhoused, blocked her friend from walking on the sidewalk near campus, but another person intervened, and a fight broke out, she said.
Dentchev, echoing other students, said she also wants more communication from UT or from the city when suspects of violent crimes are released from jail.
"At least recognize, 'Hey, some guy is released in West Campus,' because they know we all live there," Dentchev said.
Antony Milton, a junior, said he's avoided studying on campus at night. "I'm scared to," he said.
In addition to the increasing crime, Milton said UT has a policy prohibiting people who are not affiliated with the school from entering buildings uninvited, but he wants assurances that the university will better enforce that rule after having encountered such individuals in a university building that's under construction, he said.
Nathanael Suarez, a UT freshman, who lives east of campus, said he feels safe.
"I haven't encountered anything," he said. But if he does, he feels assured by knowing that "there's always eyewitnesses" and said he feels safe because of the campus community.
Risha Sur, a senior who lives in West Campus, said she always takes precautions at night. In her first year on campus, she took advantage of UT's Sure Walk program, which also helps escort people safely.
"If something were to happen, I don't know how much we would be able to protect ourselves," Sur said. "But we at least try to walk in groups, and someone hopefully is carrying pepper spray."
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT students want school to do more to bring safety after crimes spike
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