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Student reports alleged attack on Mifflin Street
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by Bridget Roby
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Weekends are not the only time when safety is an issue for some University of Wisconsin students, as a 21-year-old was mugged on West Mifflin Street at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The student was on his way home from studying when he was allegedly jumped by two men in their early twenties. According to a Madison Police Department news release, one of the suspects allegedly punched him while the other dug in his pockets for his wallet.
"This is the first mugging of this type that I've heard of occurring downtown this semester," said Common Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, who represents the area in which the incident occurred.
The victim, however, was not injured. The release stated the student yelled and fought back when he was attacked, and the assailants were unable to grab his wallet.
"I'm obviously very distressed to hear of the mugging," Verveer said. "I'm relieved that the victim was uninjured, and I also think it's great that they weren't able to get any of his belongings."
Verveer said this incident stands out among recent others.
"It's unusual for something like this to happen at a relatively early time in the evening on a weeknight," Verveer said.
Last year, he said, most of the cases like this one occurred around bar time on the weekends and usually involved intoxicated victims. The incident also stands out for its locations, as the 600 block of West Mifflin Street is a dead-end street that is still typically well—traveled.
However, the area in which the incident occurred was one block on Mifflin that did not receive new streetlights this summer.
"We've been working on improving the pedestrian lighting, and I had pedestrian lighting installed in 400 and 500 blocks this summer," Verveer said. "One thing I now want to study further is if the street lighting is adequate in that block."
Verveer said the new pedestrian-friendly streetlights are lower to the ground so that tree canopies will not obstruct the lighting.
"It's something that I've fought to have happen in my district for several years," Verveer said.
According to Verveer, the new officers that will soon be hired by the Madison Police Department should also help keep students safe.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 8:38am):
How could crime possibly happen there. . . There are no bars!
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 10:16am):
Haha...City council obviously overlooked the crime related to high densities of laundry mats and tanning shops.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 11:22am):
back in our day, we sat out on our patios drinking beer with our .22's on our laps until all the students (especially our coed friends) made it home. Nothing hurts like a .22 shot to the shin bone...
'Course, the National Guard had bigger guns.
Today, they call it community policing.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 11:33am):
What are you talking about? There's at least 3 bars within a couple of blocks of 600 Mifflin (echo, main depot, bucks).
Trying to argue that alcohol isn't a huge contributing factor in the commission of crimes, and being a victim of crimes, is just dumb.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 11:42am):
"... two men in their early twenties."
REALLY useful description, be on the look out and report anyone that matches!
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 12:18pm):
Who cares if there are no bars or laundromats on W. Mifflin! Crime happens everywhere in Madison. Just find the bastards that did it and haul 'em in.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 12:47pm):
The exact same thing happened on Langdon last night.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 1:55pm):
they just tried taking his lunch money, no biggie
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 10:42pm):
I propose that no Madison students should be allowed outside after dark without being escorted by a police officer. No more crime. Ever.
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