<p>Later we can talk about the implications about this, but for now, this is important for anyone at USC to know. </p>
<p>A Trojans Alert just went out telling USC students to stay inside whatever building you are currently in. Here is the exact alert:</p>
<p>Shots fired @ Budlong & Adams. 1 suspect&weapon in custody. 3 suspects @ large. LAPD perimeter north of UPC. Stay inside until further notice</p>
<p>Here is a newer report:</p>
<p>LAPD/DPS searching North University Park area for three outstanding suspects, possibly armed. Stay inside until further notice. Notify DPS immediately or dial 911 if you encounter suspects or suspicious persons or circumstances. Wait for further instuctions via TrojansAlert.</p>
<p>Suspects were involved in a shooting with LAPD officers at Budlong and Adams at approximately 830PM, March 11, 2009. Suspects then fled in a vehicle before crashing in the 2600 block of Menlo after striking a USC tram. No one on the tram was injured. Three suspects then fled on foot. One suspect with a gunshot wound was taken into custody at the collision scene and police recovered a firearm.</p>
<p>One suspect is described as male Hispanic, shaved head, white t shirt, dark pants and stud earrings in both ears.</p>
<p>LAPD has set up a perimeter bordered by Vermont, Orchard, 30th Street and Adams and has set up a command post. DPS is deploying additional resources into area.</p>
<p>Sent by Carey Drayton to Students (all), Faculty, Staff, Alumni , Parents (e-mail accounts) through USC Trojans Alert</p>
<p>seriously?</p>
<p>Via Trojans Alert: Search narrowed to adams-30th-vermont-elendale. stay inside and call 911 for anything suspicious. 1 more suspect in custody, 2 at large.</p>
<p>Yes, seriously.</p>
<p>Thanks Nikara and sfgiants. That reminds me that I wanted to sign up for Trojans Alert so I just went and did that.<br>
<a href="https://trojansalert.usc.edu/index.php?CCheck=1%5B/url%5D">https://trojansalert.usc.edu/index.php?CCheck=1</a></p>
<p>wow thats scary</p>
<p>cc411, good idea. I received the alert immediately. Ugh, I hope they catch these guys. Makes me so nervous for the students off campus.</p>
<p>Via Trojans Alert: LAPD Incident Cleared. 1 suspect dead, 3 in custody. Detectives in area. No injuries to USC students occured.</p>
<p>Here is what will probably be the final notification on this incident. Now I can go to bed!</p>
<p>The LAPD/DPS search of the North University Park area for three outstanding suspects was cleared at approximately midnight on March 11, 2009. Menlo is still not open to vehicle traffic, but students and residents are able to return to the area.</p>
<p>LAPD Detectives are still investigating this case, but we now know that four suspects were involved in a shooting with LAPD officers at Budlong and Adams March 11, 2009. The suspects then fled in a vehicle before crashing in the 2600 block of Menlo after striking a USC tram. No one on the tram was injured. Three suspects fled on foot and were apprehended through the efforts of LAPD, DPS and persons who called with information.</p>
<p>Any additional information released about this incident will come from LAPD through the local media or a media release. Thank you for cooperating with this investigation and contact LAPD if you have any information that may be helpful.</p>
<p>Sent by Carey Drayton to Students (all), Faculty, Staff, Alumni , Parents (e-mail accounts) through USC Trojans Alert</p>
<p>What terrible news. My son was assigned to live in Regal Trojan apartments next year which I notice is on the upper N. brim of off campus student housing. I don't know the streets you mentioned--are they near Regal Trojan? I heard police cruise the area near Regal Trojan. Is it safe?</p>
<p>This could have happened anywhere, LA is huge city, crime is everywhere. Budlong and Adams is far enough away from USC that DPS and Campus cruiser don't even patrol pick up/drop off. 2600 Menlo is the furthest point away from campus that DPS and Campus cruiser reach in that direction. That area right next to Ralphs is pretty sketch and as a USC student I would never find myself there at night.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What terrible news. My son was assigned to live in Regal Trojan apartments next year which I notice is on the upper N. brim of off campus student housing. I don't know the streets you mentioned--are they near Regal Trojan? I heard police cruise the area near Regal Trojan. Is it safe?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really, Regal Trojan is on the other side of Hoover from that. As noted above this can happen anywhere. But, I think 'SC did a great job of keeping students informed.</p>
<p>This really could have happened anywhere. The story I heard was that LAPD pulled over a car for a normal traffic violation and someone in the car pulled out a gun on the officer, who responded as you would expect.</p>
<p>My daughter lived on that block on Menlo when she was a sophomore. It is very sketchy behind the Ralph's and we were happy when she moved over the Ellendale for her Junior and Senior year. But she never had any issues living over there (just one bike stolen).</p>
<p>To everyone who is worried about specific areas north of USC being worse than another specific area:
There are no better or worse blocks, since much of the property is rental and a lot depends on the tenants! If folks renting a house have a relative/aquaintance who has a relation to a gang (or druggie) then the liklihood of criminal activity will be higher on THAT block. If the renters on a given block happen to be only low-income/hard-working families and students, the likelihood of criminal activity will be lower.
My daughter lives in a multi-unit apt house on Menlo and the police take-down last night took place next door. This is the FIRST serious incident we have had there in 2 years. But the student stabbing last year took place across the street from campus. There is NO safe area outside the campus. And I would make the case that the armed robberies on campus over one of the last breaks means that campus itself is not entirely safe.
Developing street smarts and fine-tuning common-sense skills is the best defense. Also taking off the ding-dang iPod once they leave campus is REALLY important!!!
-Stay aware of your surroundings!
-Don't get involved in long phone calls as you ride a bike to/from campus.
-Use the Tram and the Escort service
Do we worry about our two-kids safety? Yes, of course!
But this is part of the decision to attend an urban college/university! Our local university in a fairly big city also has a violent crime problem. THEY ALL DO.
Having said that, USC's DPS needs to improve their alert process: ONE HOUR IS TOO LONG FOLKS!!! I would rather you NOT have all the facts and send it out within 10-15 minutes than not have my student until so late!</p>
<p>The suspects crashed their car into the tram right in front of the house my son is living in. When I got the alert at 9:57 and called him, and he said it had happened around 8:30.. That is WAY too slow for an effective alert system.</p>
<p>Last night there was a car chase with helicopters down 405 freeway. So yeah, it could happen anywhere.
Burglary</a> suspect leads chase through O.C. | shelby, officers, quesada, car, freeway - News - OCRegister.com</p>