A male and female resident of University Oaks, who wished to remain anonymous, raised concerns in an exclusive interview regarding the safety of living at University Oaks apartments in the wake of last year’s sexual assault.
When asked if UTSA or University Oaks has done enough to increase security since Oct. 6, 2024, the male resident said, “It’s never enough.”
Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs Joe Izbrand provided a summary of the actions taken by the UTSA Police Department, UTSA Public Safety and UTSA leadership as a result of the incident.
According to Izbrand’s statement, since Oct. 6, UTSAPD has worked closely with other law enforcement agencies and implemented additional patrols during the evening hours, including vehicle, bicycle and foot patrols.
The female resident commented on whether she felt safe as a result of the increased police presence.
“It didn’t,” she said. “It didn’t make me safe. The guy is still out there. So why on earth are you gonna praise and do all these things — the guy is still out there.”
Notably, the suspect in this sexual assault case is still at large.
UTSA leadership sent out an email on Oct. 7 containing reporting and advocacy resources, mental health resources and safety resources. The message also highlighted the Take Back the Night event, Green Dot bystander training and Equal Opportunity Services.
Throughout October, UTSA Public Safety shared safety resources in Campus Link, the weekly student newsletter. They brought awareness to campus safety escorts, self-defense classes, emergency blue phones and more.
Additionally, UTSA Chief of Police Stephanie Schoenborn notified University Oaks residents of engagement and training opportunities from UTSA Public Safety, increased police presence from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. daily and increased camera coverage.
“It’s been five months,” the female resident said. “You mean to tell me out of all the resources that UTSA can offer, and with SAPD, you mean to tell me it’s taking you five months to catch one person? I’m sorry, what kind of BS is that?
“If it’s taking you this long, what makes you think the rest of us as students are gonna be able to feel comfortable in relying on our resources for protection? What makes you think that we’re going to be just completely relaxed? No, we’re not.”
The male resident shared his thoughts on the effectiveness of the increased security camera usage.
“No, it’s ridiculous,” he said. “Two points: It’s ridiculous that it takes an incident for an increase in security and thinking that for added security, surveillance cameras [are] enough to keep everyone safe.”
Some of the University Oaks residents have taken their own measures to secure their apartments.
“We put an alarm on our door,” the female resident stated. “But we’re gonna have to use a community bat and put it in our living room. And if something happens, we’re just gonna have to get physical.”
The male resident has not done the same.
“No, I have not. I have not added anything besides what the apartment comes with — just the regular cross lock, and that’s it,” he said.
Neither he nor his roommate were aware of residents placing alarms or weapons in their apartments to protect themselves.
“My own personal tip is to watch my back at all times when I am in the residence. Make sure my car is locked when I’m walking back to my apartment; make sure I’m watching my back,” he stated. “I might be followed or something like that, but that’s pretty much it.”
When asked if she encouraged other residents to get their security systems for their apartments, the female resident revealed how she acquired her alarm in the first place.
“That’s the thing. I didn’t even need to,” she said. “They did it themselves. The way I got the alarm: I was walking to work, and a group of girls came up to me, and they were like, ‘Hey, we heard what happened. We’re passing out the alarms. Here, for you and your roommates, stay safe.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, bet, and I gave my alarm to — I had two alarms, right — I gave the other one to my neighbor.”
Izbrand emphasized in his statement, “UTSA Public Safety continues to provide proactive resources and safety support for students.” Including the aforementioned resources, he shared that more could be found on the UTSA Public Safety website, UTSAPD could be found on multiple social media sites and UTSA Public Safety has launched the app SafeZone, which makes emergency services easier to access.
Neither the male resident or his roommate have downloaded the SafeZone app.
He responded, “Definitely, definitely,” upon inquiries of University Oaks residents still being on edge since last October. “Before that, I wouldn’t have to worry so much about my surroundings.”
“The fact that I have to go get a bat, a weapon or a taser to truly protect my friends and my home here that live with me, it’s, it’s — I’m tryna find the word for it — not astonishing, not annoying, not a nuisance, it’s all of the above,” the female resident said. “It’s just dangerous, you know?”
This remains an active investigation, so UTSAPD is limited in what can be shared at this time; however, they continue to provide supportive measures to the survivor, according to Izbrand.
