OSU students warned about ride-shares

Police are warning people who use ride-share apps such as Uber and Lyft to be careful after an Ohio State University student got into the wrong car.

The student apparently requested a ride-share car to pick her up near North High Street and East 13th Avenue. Moments after she sent the request, she got into what she thought was her ride-share vehicle.

The male driver turned down a side street and made unwanted advances, according to a neighborhood safety notice issued Thursday by Ohio State University. The student got out of the car, ran away and called Columbus police.

“You have to have a common sense approach before you get in a car,”said Sgt. Rich Weiner, a spokesman for Columbus Division of Police. “You are responsible for your own safety. Is it the car you’re requesting? Is it the person you’re expecting?”

Ohio State encouraged students yesterday to use the bus system or safe ride program.

Joey Eringman, program coordinator for Student Safety Service Safe Ride Program, said the free rides are provided for students and staff who feel unsafe.

“This is not a taxi service,” he said. “We don’t want people to use this as their main form of transportation.”

OSU police Deputy Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt said students must be vigilant.

“If students do decide to use these alternative forms of transportation, we want to make sure they ID the driver, the license plate, the make and model of the vehicle,” she said. “They can also share their GPS location with friends and family when the driver pulls up.”

When interacting with a potential ride-share driver, don’t volunteer information. Instead, ask questions, Weiner said. “If anyone has any doubt, simply don’t get into the car,” he said.

There were similar reports in September investigated by the Columbus police Special Victims Unit.

Students who want to use the Safe Ride Program can call 614-292-3322.