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Dear UWO Campus Community members,

The Oshkosh Police Department (OPD) announced today that it has a suspect in jail related to two recent, near-campus crimes: A Monday, Oct. 20 robbery near Elmwood Avenue and Scott Street and a Sunday, Oct. 26 assault that occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the 800 block of McKinley Street. In the latter and most recent incident, the perpetrator was apprehended by a University Police officer shortly after the attack, Oshkosh Police said today.

Investigators cannot yet say for certain whether the suspect in these crimes is definitively related to the recent rash of other off-campus incidents, including the stabbings of two UW Oshkosh students east of campus the night of Friday, Oct. 24. That potential link is still being explored.

We do know that the community’s heightened awareness and the excellent, tireless police work over the last few days helped lead to this arrest. There is much additional, detailed crime analysis and investigatory work to come in the days and weeks ahead. We are encouraged by the progress.

Let me pause for a moment to share how grateful for and proud we are of our OPD partners, our University Police force, the broader campus community and our many Oshkosh neighbors. They have worked collaboratively and continue to pursue leads related to two similar crimes, including an Oct. 23, Wisconsin Street robbery and the two, Oct. 24 stabbings on Lincoln Avenue and Wright Street near campus.

We have a never-ending commitment to keep UW Oshkosh a safe place to learn, work and live. Please remember that you can help. If you have any information at all related to any of the recent crimes, we ask you to contact OPD Detective Artus at (920) 236-5726. You can also share tips anonymously through Winnebago Area Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 (TIPS). Callers may be eligible for a reward.

The two stabbing victims continue to recuperate. We have been and remain in contact with these students and are offering all the support we can as they heal and look to return to their studies. Likewise, we have reached out to their families and offer support for friends, classmates and peers who may have been impacted by the recent acts of violence. Our campus Dean of Students Office and Counseling Center are always available to anyone who feels they need to talk and people to listen. The Dean of Students office can be reached at (920) 424-3100. The Counseling Center is at (920) 424-2061.

In the weeks ahead, we will continue the conversation about how we can strengthen campus safety resources, communication and education. Students, staff and faculty have asked responsible questions over the last few weeks. Many have requested meetings and forums led by University Police and other UW Oshkosh safety advocates. We pledge to work with everyone to prepare, promote and present valuable, inclusive sessions that inform and empower. It is the right thing to do.

Thank you for taking an active role as members of this caring campus community and for continuing to look out for the safety and wellbeing of all.

Petra Roter, Interim Chancellor
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh