Police and city officials are urging student safety following the first reported sexual assault of the semester which took place on Spring Street Saturday morning. The two male suspects are still at large.
Madison Police Department spokesperson Mike Hanson said no one has been arrested, and no new information about the assault was available as of press time. He said the victim, a 21-year-old UW-Madison student, is a recovering from the attack and is currently at home with her family.
UW-Madison sophomore Kristy Brubakken said MPD Detective Gregg Luedtke came to her apartment on College Court Monday and informed her of Saturday's assault. Brubakken said Luedtke also asked that any and all information concerning the situation be reported to the police immediately.
""To be honest, I was shocked when he came to our door,"" Brubakken said, adding that it made her feel better police are going door-to-door to reach out to students.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said crime usually occurs less often in the early months of the semester. He said the assault on the 1000 block of Spring Street was not ""traditional"" in the way that crimes of this magnitude normally occur when the weather is warmer.
Still, Madison police Sgt. Jennifer Krueger Favour said the sexual assault has served as a rude reminder of the incidents that occurred last semester and that assaults can happen any time of year.
""Crime such as this happens all year round unfortunately,"" Krueger Favour said. ""We don't necessarily see a rise and fall because of temperatures.""
Ald. Austin King, District 8, said it was a tragedy, and both the city and university must stress safety. He said the assault sends ""a ripple effect of shock"" throughout the Madison community.
""This is the worst case scenario,"" King said. ""A student walking home alone should be able to get home safe and the fact that someone didn't is a tragedy.""
King said he ""would love to see a full-time officer for Spring Street.""
He said having trained officers on the street are a must to protect students, but noted, ""Smart policing can't prevent all crimes.""
