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Officers investigate Cocke Hall break-in

University sees second break-in during two-week period; incidents draw attention to safety concerns

University police officials reported that an unknown intruder broke into Cocke Hall sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. The incident was the second break-in on Grounds during the past two weeks.

"It was an attempted breaking-and-entering incident," University Police Lt. Melissa Fielding said. "To our knowledge, there was nothing stolen but there was damage to a couple of windows."\nThe building, which houses the philosophy and Classics departments, was open yesterday for use.

Classics department Chair John Miller expressed concern about the break-in but noted that he was "happy it wasn't more serious like people getting hurt or serious disfigurement of the building."\nThe incident draws more attention to on-Grounds safety, as well, he said. He added that students and faculty members use the building almost every night.

"Where we are located on Grounds requires us to be vigilant," he said.

Similarly, Alderman Library was broken into sometime between its closing Feb. 6 and opening the next morning, said Charlotte Morford, director for communications at University Library. The lower windowpane of the building's front door was kicked in, but the intruder did not manage to take anything, police officers said.

"It's definitely scary that a place you think is safe has been compromised," said fourth-year College student Nikki Godine, a Classics major. "I don't think it will happen again though - they're going to take the necessary precautions especially with the break-ins that have been happening lately."

Second-year Education student Cameron Garrison, who also is a Classics major, also noted what seems to be a developing trend in break-ins on Grounds.

"More so I am concerned that it was a series of events," she said, "and I hope they can figure out what is going on. I wouldn't want it to become a serious problem."

Fielding, however, said there is not enough information currently to connect the two incidents. She would not speculate about the intent behind the break-ins.

"We are investigating and evaluating the evidence at both crime scenes," she said. "At this point, it would be difficult to say if they were linked but also difficult to say if they were not linked"

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