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Baltimore, MD - City Police patrol University Parkway on Tuesday evening. It’s an increased effort since a student killed 49 year old Donald Rice, a home intruder and a man with 29 prior convictions for breaking and entering.
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exclusive ABC2 video showed the dramatic scene after police arrived at the home of 4 undergraduate students.
Police said one of them used a samurai sword to fend off the would-be burglar.
It’s an alarming wake up call for Johns Hopkins Senior Amy Johnson. “Today kind of made me realize a blessing and a curse that I can feel so safe in my neighborhood but still you have to have that level of awareness.”
That's exactly the message school leaders were trying to get out. “This is the kind of things students of any urban campus need to be paying attention to,” said school spokesman Dennis O’Shea.
Campus and City police patrol most of the neighborhoods in Charles Village including University Parkway where the incident occurred. Cameras are also posted on University-owned buildings.
O'Shea said they always educate students about their safety. “Particularly for incoming freshman we get the word out that the fact that this is a city, it's a wonderful city, but you also have to be aware of your surrounding," said O’Shea.
Terrence Tse, another Hopkins Senior said, “They respond really quickly and the camera system is really smart…they never fail to remind us.”
In a letter to students, the Dean of Student Life reminded everyone that in the case of a home burglary they should "call 9-11 immediately…do not attempt to confront the intruder, but rather secure yourself in a locked area until police arrive.
“In this kind of area it's just unavoidable that some things are going to happen," said Amy Johnson.
The Dean went on to say the enhanced police presence will continue at least until it is known whether the intruder involved was responsible for the other break-ins.
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