On Thursday, September 18, at 11:23 p.m., Safety and Security responded to a call about an attempted luring incident. A prospective student visiting campus contacted Safety and Security for a ride from Buck Fitness Center before being approached by an unidentified man who attempted to lure the guest to his vehicle on Bowker Street under the guise of being the shuttle driver. The guest recognized that the man was not affiliated with Security and walked away.

Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Bill Harwood outlined these events in a College-wide email early the next morning, urging community members to remain vigilant and stating that the Brunswick Police Department (BPD) had joined Safety and Security in an investigation.

In an email to the Orient, BPD Commander of Patrol Todd Ridlon commented on the situation.

“Investigating officers met with the girl and learned that she is a prospective Bowdoin student who was visiting campus and somehow had become separated from her group,” Ridlon wrote.

Ridlon praised the guest for her situational awareness.

“Her instincts led her to believe something was not right about this encounter, and she was able to walk away safely and quickly from the man to the safety of a nearby campus building, where [S]ecurity was then notified,” Ridlon said. “At no time was [the guest] assaulted, threatened nor were there any unwanted advances made toward her.”

In a follow-up email sent on Wednesday evening, Harwood announced that the case has been closed.

“As a result of all efforts, the [luring suspect] was identified,” Harwood wrote. “Following a thorough investigation, we can confirm this situation does not pose any ongoing risk to our community.”