NEW ORLEANS — There was a noticeable police presence around Tulane University Monday after six people were robbed at gunpoint in two separate incidents this weekend. Now with students less than 24 hours away from returning to class, many students expressed they feel on edge.
Tulane police were patrolling along Hillary Street near Oak Street. That's where two groups of college-aged students were robbed early Sunday morning.
"Since yesterday, there's been way more patrolling in this area thankfully," said Cameron Lewis, a Tulane student who lives on Hillary Street.
One of the armed robberies happened outside her home. It was around 1:15 a.m. Sunday when two men are seen on video running out of a dark car with guns. NOPD said they robbed three 20-year-old women.
NOPD also reported that 20 minutes earlier, three men, ages 20 and 21, were robbed.
"I'm frustrated because this is not the first time or second time or third time my house and this area has been victimized by crime," Lewis said.
Her car was broken into several weeks ago, Lewis said.
"They did the whole street, it wasn’t just me," she said.
Blocks away on Birch and Broadway, Tulane police said a student was in her car early Friday morning when armed men approached her and took her car and belongings.
"I invested in a Ring doorbell but really I'm wanting to get big spot lights that are motion censored because a lot of crime happens at night," Lewis said. "I live with a very large dog which I also got to protect me."
In an email, Tulane PD said patrols would increase.
"In response to several instances of armed robberies around our uptown campus in the past two weeks, Tulane University Police Department and the New Orleans Police Department have increased patrol activity in and around the Broadway corridor that borders campus," the email reads. "We are working actively to investigate the most recent incidents, which appear to be perpetrated by the same individuals, and apprehend the suspects while also taking a proactive measures to prevent future incidents."
Tulane police are encouraging students to use the free shuttle service that runs until 3 a.m. or to request a Tulane police safety escort. That's available 24/7 if within a mile of campus.
Anyone with information on the armed robberies is asked to call TUPD at 504-865-5911 or NOPD at 911.
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