Campus Police issued a safety alert yesterday notifying students that in the past week, two women have been approached and offered rides by unfamiliar men operating cars. Both incidents occurred on Route 9, but the incidents were reported separately and Campus Police does not believe that they are connected. The women's names were not released.

One woman was approached at 3 a.m. on Feb. 4 and the second around midnight on Feb. 5.

Chief of Campus Police John Carter, who distributed the alert to residence counselors with the expectation that they would alert their residents, said Campus Police is required by federal law to notify students when there is a potential threat to their safety.

Carter also said he hopes that by increasing awareness of this type of incident, students who have similar experiences might file reports with Campus Police. "I'm sure it happens more often than it is reported to us," said Carter. According to Carter, no similar alerts have been issued this year.

Christina Clemente '06, a resident counselor in Tyler House, reminded students to follow basic safety precautions. She said students should avoid walking alone late at night and encouraged students to contact Safe Ride. "The whole purpose of Safe Ride is so that you don't have to walk around alone," she said.