Police investigating reports of Peeping Tom at UMass Amherst

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Students are advised to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behavior after campus police received five reports last week of an alleged Peeping Tom at the Grayson and Field residence halls.

Students are feeling “creeped out” and “afraid to shower” after reports of a man videoing women showering have surfaced.

According to The UMass Amherst Police Department, three of the reports indicate that a man had what appeared to be a cell phone attempting to take pictures or video while the woman was in the shower. The first incident was reported at 11:19 p.m. on Monday, September 16th.

The following day another report was received at 3:40 p.m. which alleges a man, described as white, was seen looking over the top of the shower curtains in the bathroom on the 3rd floor of Field residence hall who may have had a cellphone.

At 2:11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18th a report was received that described a man, who was white, approximately 5’10” tall, with short brownish/blonde hair. He was wearing maroon shorts and a black hooded sweatshirt. The report said that the same type of behavior happened at the Grayson residence hall on the 7th floor.

Two additional reports were filed after the police posted notices of these incidents at the Grayson and Field residence halls. On Tuesday at 1 a.m. at the Field residence hall on the 6th floor and at 1 a.m. on Wednesday at the Grayson residence hall on the 5th floor.

“I just feel sad for everyone who lives here and everyone involved because you should feel safe at the college you’re at,” said UMass sophomore Skylar Kwiatek. “And it’s just, it’s not fair that it happened to these people.”

“I think as all girls on campus and guys too, it’s sad to see and hear about happening,” added UMass sophomore Samantha Brennan. “Definitely let someone know. It’s so scary. I can’t imagine this happening to me.”

Victims or witnesses of this type of similar behavior are being asked to contact police at 413-545-2121 or on the campus’ anonymous witness form online.

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