◆ After a third

After 3 incidents, some fearing for their safety after dark

attempted battery in less than two months, some female UCF students say they feel unsafe walking around campus, even as the campus police force responds.

After a third groping attempt was reported at the University of Central Florida in less than two months, some students at the school’s main campus said Tuesday they were worried about their safety after dark.

“I shouldn’t need to have pepper spray to walk around on campus,” said Enilda Velazquez, an 18-year-old freshman.

In the latest incident, the alleged victim told police she was walking in a parking garage stairwell late Monday when she was approached by a man asking for a jump-start. After the suspect reached out to touch the woman’s leg, she pushed him away and he fled, police said.

Several students said that even before the most recent incidents, they had avoided taking night classes or parking in certain areas without adequate lighting.

Police say the circumstances and suspect description of Monday’s incident match two other attempted batteries — one this month, one in December — leaving authorities to believe the cases are connected.

“Obviously this type of incident happening once is not OK,” police spokeswoman Courtney Gilmartin said. “The fact that it’s happened three times is not sitting lightly with UCFPD.”

According to UCF police, crime dropped 36 percent between 2012 and 2016, even as enrollment increased 6 percent. In 2016, 16 sex offenses were reported on campus — with all but one taking place in an oncampus residence, according to information reported by the university.

Velazquez said she thinks police have done what they can. The problem lies with the toxic way some men act toward college-aged women, she said.

Mary Mincy, 19, said although she doesn’t fear for her physical safety, she is subjected to cat calls “about once a week” and is hesitant to walk across campus alone at night.

“I think UCF does as much as they can,” she said.

The university does offer options for people who feel un-

safe after dark. Students have the option of calling a number to request an escort on campus. Several call boxes are also located throughout campus in case of an emergency.

However, several students said more can be done, including installing more lighting and security cameras. While some garages have limited camera coverage, the one where Monday’s incident happened did not, Gilmartin said.

“The parking garages are kind of sketchy,” said Victoria Lopez, another 18-year-old freshman. “I feel like anyone could grab me and nobody would know.”