In a startling incident that has raised concerns about campus security, a family has decided to withdraw their son from a California college after police allegedly failed to respond to a car robbery that occurred on move-in day. The incident has sparked a debate about the safety and responsiveness of law enforcement on college campuses.
The Crossman family from Florida had traveled to California to help their son, Rhomel Crossman, move into his dormitory at the University of California, Santa Barbara. However, their excitement quickly turned into frustration and fear when their car was broken into and several valuable items were stolen.
According to the family, the robbery occurred in broad daylight while they were unloading Rhomel’s belongings. “We were in the process of moving things into his room when we noticed the car had been broken into,” said Rhomel’s father, Michael Crossman. “It was a shock to see the windows smashed and our items gone.”
The Crossmans immediately contacted campus police, but they claim that officers did not respond promptly to their call for help. “We waited for hours, but no one showed up,” Michael said. “It was disheartening and left us feeling very unsafe.”
Frustrated by the lack of response and concerned for their son’s safety, the family made the difficult decision to withdraw Rhomel from the university. “We couldn’t leave him in an environment where we felt he wasn’t protected,” said Rhomel’s mother, Lisa Crossman. “His safety is our top priority.”
The university has expressed regret over the incident and pledged to investigate the family’s claims. “We take all reports of crime very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of our students,” a university spokesperson said. “We are reviewing our procedures and will work to address any shortcomings in our response.”
The local police department also released a statement acknowledging the incident and promising to enhance their presence and responsiveness on campus. “We are committed to supporting the safety of all students and will take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said a police representative.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about campus security and the effectiveness of law enforcement in responding to emergencies. Students and parents have voiced their concerns on social media, calling for improved safety measures and more accountability from campus police.
“Campus security needs to be a top priority,” said a fellow student. “We need to feel safe and protected, especially when incidents like this occur.”
The Crossman family’s decision to withdraw Rhomel has highlighted the impact of safety concerns on students’ educational experiences. “It’s a tough choice to make, but we had to do what we felt was right for our son’s well-being,” Lisa Crossman said.
As the university and local police work to address the issues raised by this incident, the Crossman family hopes that their experience will lead to positive changes. “We want to ensure that no other family has to go through what we did,” Michael Crossman said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe, especially in a place of learning.”
The incident at the University of California, Santa Barbara, underscores the importance of effective campus security and the need for prompt responses from law enforcement. As institutions and police departments review their policies and procedures, the goal remains to create a safe and supportive environment for all students.