Police looking for Towers Peeping Tom
Utah State University Police have received three reports of a a male individual walking into the women’s bathrooms at Valley View Towers and peeking under shower curtains.
Police reports said a girl walked in and saw him peeking under the shower curtain area.
The individual has been reported as a “male, estimated age of 35, 5′ 7 to 5’8. The individual has “curly black hair, a goatee with no mustache and was believed to be wearing glasses,” said Steve Milne, lieutenant.
During one incident, the individual was reported as wearing a blue plaid shirt. Another incident, the individual was reported as wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, Milne said.
The first reported incident occurred at 9:30 a.m. The second reported incident occurred at 10:30 a.m.
The individual would be charged with trespassing, Milne said.
The police report came Sept. 5, however, the incidents had been occurring since Aug. 29.
“[This is] not the first time we’ve had something like this happen,” Milne said, in regards to the 19 years he has been at USU.
“Looking” is classified under lewdness. There were six cases of lewdness in 2000, according to the USU Campus Police Statistics Book.
Studies show the individuals realize it’s wrong and correct themselves, use lewdness as a stepping stone to more serious crimes, Milne said.
Studies indicate “once a window peeper, always a window peeper,” Milne said.
This may not always be the case, Milne said. Milne offered advice for everyone: Be aware of surroundings. Report anything suspicious.
“We would like to help this guy, and get counseling [for him],” Milne said.
The Utah State University Counseling Center assists students with a “variety of issues.” Confidentiality is respected, according to the Counseling Center pamphlet.
“Individuals, [such as the one identified], tend to look for artificial forms of intimacy. That way, they can gratify their needs versus getting in a relationship in which there’s always the risk of rejection,” said David Bush, psychologist at the Counseling Center.
The Counseling Center can work with individuals and teach them healthy skills, Bush said.
There is also empathy training for the individual so he or she can realize the emotional harm they have caused. If people had this experience and have information, or see someone suspicious, please contact a Resident Assistant, the Counseling Center at 797-1012, and/or the USU Campus Police at 797-1939.