It has been thirteen days since 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington vanished from the Metallica Concert being held at John Paul Jones Arena. Word of the disappearance spread swiftly across campus, and among the whisperings came speculations of how and why a college student could simply vanish. Though there is crime in Charlottesville, it is not unlike the crime in any other city or college town. Despite a $100,000 reward offered by Harrington’s family and another $50,000 added by Metallica, there are still no major leads in the investigation.
Unfortunately, the disappearances like Harrington’s are not rare events. Everyday, around 2,500 people are reported missing in the United States according to the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA). The FBI’s computerized criminal justice database, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), maintains a Missing Person File for all people who have been reported missing. Those who are missing remain in the NCIC Missing Person File indefinitely until they are either found or the missing person’s report is canceled. As of Dec. 31 2008, the NCIC Missing Person File listed 102,764 active missing person cases. The prominence of Harrington’s case in the national media in part stems from her connection to Virginia Tech and the personal “One Of Our Fans Is Missing” plea from prominent heavy metal band Metallica. Dan and Gil Harrington have also been working daily to keep their daughter’s story in the spotlight in the hopes that police will come across a significant lead. Harrington’s story quickly garnered national media attention by Wednesday afternoon after her disappearance and was even picked up on CNN’s “Nancy Grace”.
Despite this national coverage, little headway has been made in the investigation, raising fears in the University community. In reference to the Harrington case, third-year College student Alexandra Rivas expressed her concern. “It’s scary to think that something like this could happen to someone our age so close to our school. I wish that there was a stronger security system on campus, for example, more cameras in parking lots. I’m really sad for her family and hope she gets found soon.” The lack of information has other students feeling both frustrated and concerned. Second-year College student Jamie Dailey says, “The disappearance of Morgan is very tragic. I feel like I haven’t received very many updates on the case from the University, but I don’t know if that’s because there’s nothing new to update or because they’re not being proactive with informing the University community. The case is especially disturbing because U.Va. is supposed to be this safe bubble. It certainly makes me think twice about letting friends walk alone at night.” To many, the story that police have given the public simply does not add up and students have been left wondering how safe they really are.
Harrington is not alone. Young coeds and graduate students have repeatedly made national headlines as college campuses have become the breeding ground for crime and intrigue. Within the past few years, the American public has been bombarded with tragic stories of missing college students and violent campus murders. Recently, the murder of Yale graduate student Annie Le and the shooting of the University of Connecticut’s star football player Jasper Howard grasped media attention. No one can forget the brutal torture of the Columbia University journalism graduate or the rape and murder of New York John Jay College student Imette St. Guillen. The list goes on. Too often, students are falling victim to crime in a place where they should be safe. This begs the question, what can be done to increase the safety of college students across the nation? To begin with, the laws regarding missing people should be changed. College students are not being protected by laws which otherwise protect children under 18. For example, AMBER Alerts are only issued for those aged 17 years or younger, and are broadcasted immediately across radio and television stations once a child is deemed missing. While the AMBER Alert Program has been highly successful in locating missing children, it does not apply to college students like Harrington, age 20. This is a problem that needs to be addressed.
It is only when crime hits so near to home does one begin to fully understand that the “bubble” in which we live is far from secure. Surrounded by thousands of other students and within walking distance of blue phones and University police, one tends to feel insulated from the external world of crime. While college may seem like a safe place, as the past two weeks convey, crime is always possible. We have all learned the basic safety rules our parents instilled in us. Unfortunately, all it takes is one second when our instincts lapse or when we are unaware of our surroundings. Though it is tempting to immerse oneself into the college “bubble,” it is important to recognize that there is always a potential for crime. Always be aware of your surroundings and travel in groups and well-lit areas. Until the police discover more in regards to the disappearance of Harrington, it is essential that University students take extra precautions in ensuring their safety and the safety of their friends. The University’s thoughts and prayers are with Harrington’s family and friends, and with each day, the community continues to hold onto the hope that she will be returned safely to her family.
Ashley Chappo is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
I am concerned that my daughter, a fourth year, has been the victim of crime twice since August. Her car was broken into by smashing a window in August and then, the same weekend that Dana Harrington went missing, my daughters car was broken into again and this time her MacBook was stolen. This happened in the downtown parking lot. Several other cars were also broken into that night.
The police responding to the first call offered in discussion that Charlottesville was having a gang problem and it seemed to be a rite of initiation to assault UVA students in the campus area or on the campus itself. He had come from a inter-gang shooting that morning where a woman had been injured by a bullet entering her bedroom from outside.
When we took the car to be repaired after the first incident, the glass installer told us they were having an epidemic of window shattering break-ins.
If Charlottesville is experiencing an increase in crime, the police should be given the resources, including surveillance cameras, outside consultation or additional personnel to solve and prevent crimes against person and property.
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Anne, NEVER leave a laptop in a car. You might as well leave $500 on the dash. People need to take common precautions and that means you don’t leave valuables in your car. There are people constantly looking into cars for good stuff to steal. It takes them about 10 seconds to smash and grab.
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Frank: Duly noted. Thanks for the tip.
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(suggestion found on pamrotella.com) “As I said earlier, I’d like to see everyone in Virginia look for this girl by starting on their own properties. And it’s important to start with your own property because no one knows your own property like you — where not to step, how to call your dog off, etc.
The reason for searching your OWN property? I’ve noticed that when a girl is abducted and meets an unfortunate end, some poor farm family often finds the body later on their property. I guess that’s because the perpetrator is looking for any rural area where a house isn’t directly overlooking the road, to avoid being seen. And it’s often found right near the road, I assume because the longer the time spent walking into an area, the greater exposure of being caught in the act. It’s often poorly thought out and hastily done. Another popular place seems to be in public parks with wooded areas. Why? Probably to avoid meeting the gun-toting owner of PRIVATE woods, and of course because woods aren’t used by as many people as roads or sidewalks.
So I think it’s a good idea for Virginians to search their OWN properties first. Even city-dwellers, in fact Charlottesville should be turning its city and outlying areas UPSIDE DOWN right now! Better to find her now, even if something unspeakable happened and she’s already passed, so that her parents will at least know what happened and police will be able to gather whatever evidence is left. In short, it’s better to check your ditches now, not later. City people, check those alleyways, dumpsters, bushes, etc. Also the workplace is a possibility, especially areas on the property that are accessible after hours.
I also said that after your own property is searched, it might be good to go to one or two of your favorite public places, like your favorite fishing spot or a tourist attraction you like such as a battlefield. Why PUBLIC? Why one of your FAVORITES? Well, partly so that you won’t get lost. I don’t want anyone to walk into woods they’re unfamiliar with, even if it’s a public park. Do you have the skills to get out of those woods after walking around for an hour? What if you meet a bear or poisonous snake? The point is, if you already have a favorite spot somewhere like that, you already know what’s there and what kind of gear you need. Don’t take risks on unknown territory unless you’re an experienced woodsmen (as in, armed for bears, good thick boots for snakes, a compass and good navigation skills, etc.). And of course you never want to venture onto PRIVATE property without the owner’s permission. Let the owner search his or her own property. I’ve known people who live in the middle of the woods, and they can usually walk you all over their own woods with great familiarity, they know where they can walk and what to expect.
I thought I should clarify this because I did mention “wooded areas” before, but that was in combination with favorite public places like your favorite fishing hole. Don’t take a risk wandering into some huge unfamiliar patch of woods without the skills or equipment to deal with it — leave that spot for someone else to search. And definitely bring your cell phone just in case you need help, or to report something if you find it.
I’m not discounting the possibility that she’s still alive — definitely if anyone sees someone meeting her description, call the police immediately. It’s good to get as much info as you can without putting yourself in danger — car description, license, description of people she’s with, etc. But if she’s being held in someone’s rear shed for example, I don’t know how anyone could find her unless they happened to be the perpetrator’s friend or neighbor, and even then they’d probably be in great danger if they made that discovery while on the perpetrator’s property. But of course if someone sees someone like her on their neighbor’s property, or being transported somewhere, or course the police should be tipped off as soon as that can be safely done.
Also, I didn’t mention this before, but I’m not suggesting that anyone spend a long time on such a search. Even if she’s found this way, probably only one person will find her. Everyone else will come up empty, and I don’t want people to feel cheated out of a whole day by following this suggestion. I just want to put forward the idea that there are more effective things people can do with their time if they’re really concerned — everyone can still pray and hope for the best, and check for the latest news on her situation. But why not also get up, walk outside, and take a look around? And don’t forget to treat yourself to something afterwards — reward yourself for being one of many citizen rescuers, even if you just treat yourself to a pizza or candy bar! And thank you from everyone who cares!”
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There is also a new service that is perfect for college students and their parents. It is called Safecheckin.com. It allows students to have their privacy and yet if something goes wrong and the student fails to return back to campus on time, the parents and the dorm manager can be notified. Parents should check it out as a guardian angel so to speak while the kids are off in college.
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Excellent article Ashley,
You made one factual error though; Jasper Howard was stabbed to death, not shot.
It’s been a very long time since I was in college but I would like to point out that not only college campuses, but locations near campus, are becoming more dangerous. Downtown bars, restaurants etc. have been the favorite hang outs of college students for ages; they are also viewed as a safe haven by most students.
But the deaths of -Michelle Gardner-Quinn, University of Vermont- Kelly Nolan, University of Wisconsin- and Brianna Denison, home visiting friends at the University of Nevada, Reno, point out that there really is no place where you should not take appropriate precautions.
The most obvious one is to never go off alone. If you go out for a night with friends make sure you stay with them. Do not let yourself get separated, watch your drinks, and watch your surroundings. Remember on simple fact; profoundly evil people sometimes wear the face of the good looking guy next door.
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The Morgan Harrington disappearance is very disturbing to all humanity, and particularly to UVa grads like myself. This should not happen anywhere, much less at UVa. No one other than the perpetrator of this likely crime is to blame, but I do think UVa should rethink certain policies when it applies to the safety of our children. If you are going to hold a hard metal Metallica concert on grounds that you know will draw a disparate group of people from throughout the East, you should certainly beef up security in and around JPJ. This should have been coordinated with Charlottesville police. Maybe it was, but I haven’t heard this.
Secondly, of course there are rules regarding re-entry without a ticket into a concert or similar venue, but a public educational institution like UVa had better think twice about ever again sending a young person into the night over a misplaced ticket. This is not Madison Square Garden. This is a university that caters to young people. Err on the side of the young person, especially if it’s a young woman. There is no doubt young women are vulnerable in our society.
Of course, no ticket-taker is to blame. No one could have imagined the repercussions of turning away Morgan Harrington. Now, we can imagine. Change the policy even if it’s not advertised to the public. It should be changed regardless of whether Morgan is found safe, and I pray she is.
JS
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First, I’d like to say that I’m sorry if I offend anyone – and of course I hope and pray that this nightmare for The Harringtons ends ASAP and with a happy ending. I had a childhood friend vanish in NH at the age of 20 when I was in high school. It was not a happy ending, but at least her remains were found and there was some closure that many other families have waited in vain for.
I too wish she had not been turned away from the JPJ, and I feel for whoever was just doing their job and did so. We can’t expect every concert to be free now, can we? So I guess the “no re-admitance without a ticket” is going stay. You can’t blame a venue or the age old need to buy and have a ticket to enter a concert on what happens outside the venue.
Now, I’d like to get to the stuff nobody wants to hear – but everyone needs to face. There is a culture on campus these days – I’m sure at VT just like UVA – that has made it very acceptable and common for a young woman to go off alone at night or with men – boys, really – that they just met. It’s everywhere. Those of us out late on the corner or downtown see it all the time. Drink till blackout and hookup with whoever. There are also a lot of drugs in Charlottesville and UVA, and the big music venues have a lot to do with that.
I am NOT suggesting Morgan did any such thing, or did anything wrong that night whatsoever. Like the rest of us, I have no idea.
I’m just saying that this event should spur colleges all over the country to get real about this drunken hookup culture, and confront it head on. It should immediately be unacceptable for ANY woman to go off alone at night or with a man she just met – no matter how cute or charming, well dressed, or whatever else he is – and no matter what the hookup culture says is cool or OK.
We’ve all seen dozens of UVA women at 2 and 3 in the morning stumbling home drunk – many of them alone. It’s simply ridiculous. Granted, I’m obviously out seeing it and walking home at 2 am myself – BUT I’m a guy who can defend myself or outrun an attacker if need be. I’m not casting any stone at anyone, just mentioning the obvious. I’ve watched in amazement as a UVA gal told a guy that she would go home with him as long as he paid for the cab. She clearly didn’t even know his name.
This past summer, I came upon a gal passed out on the sidewalk on JPA. Her upper body was right underneath the right rear tire of a big SUV! If someone had entered the vehicle and drove away, they would have killed her. She’s lucky it was me who woke her up and threw her arm over me and got her home. There’s no shortage of drunk frat boys heading home wasted and doing petty vandalism on the way that I’m sure would have loved to meet her. Yet, even she was suggesting that I be repaid for “saving her” with, uh, ‘favors’ when we we got to her front door. She was horribly drunk and/or high. I did not take her up on any offers, but indeed I left her my number and wanted her to let me know that she was OK in the am. She never even called or texted me to say thank you.
I tell this little story only to illustrate just how out of control this culture really is here and now at UVA. And it’s everywhere late at night Thursday to Saturday. And I’m pretty confident that UVA is not unique among colleges these days. Even that woman probably was laughing with her friends about it the next day as just another crazy booze soaked story from the night before to add to all the others.
Again, it should be immediately and permanently uncool, unacceptable, and just unthinkable for ANY woman to be venturing out alone at night in this town or going off with a guy she just met and doesn’t know. And again, lets all just keep praying for Morgan and her family – and keep our eyes open for any sight of her. And I agree that it is a great idea if everyone checked their own property thoroughly.
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Wow, thank you, Sean, for your information/story…what an eye-opener! I was glad to read that you rescued that girl from the wheel of the SUV…even if she never thanked you, I am glad you did it, and I thank you for her! I feel sad for the college
girls venturing out and going off with guys they just met…even when I was a younger woman in my 20′s in the early 80′s these kinds of things were going on, but I think it’s gotten a lot worse these days…it is so easy to think you are invincible when you are a young woman/man, but Morgan going missing just shows us all how vulnerable girls are out alone at night, etc…I too am keeping her in my prayers that she will be found.
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Hey Sean
Not all frat boys spend their nights vandalizing and raping unconscious woman they find lying in the gutter.
Hope this helps.
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Earnan,
Never said “all.”
Just “no shortage.”
First, the petty vandalism is all around for all to see by every Sunday morning. Indeed, it only takes a few.
Second, the routine of finding/getting horribly disoriented and drunk/high female teenagers to sex up in the wee hours of the morning – be it on the street, in a bar, or at a frat house – is something that has been going on among frat boys at UVA for many, many years now. It is tradition.
Again, it only takes a few. But I’m afraid there are some good apples in the bunch at 1 am. Not the other way around.
Perhaps I should not have put “frat boy” in my post – but it just came so easily. Sorry if I offended you if you are in a frat. It was not about frats. It’s about the culture and the regime at present that has so many women out totally wasted late at night alone or going off with men they don’t know and should not trust.
That’s all.
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Sean Cannan, if you ever find a person passed out in the street again, please call an ambulance and/or the cops! That would be the best thing you could do for them and for yourself. You don’t want to be liable for anything that might happen to them.
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