To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Interim Police Chief Jeff Christensen" <jchriste@illinois.edu >

Reply-To: dpscomments@illinois.edu
 Subject: Threatening Note

As the Halloween weekend approaches, I write to update you on the 
investigation of a threatening note recently found in the Library. The 
task force established to investigate this threat continues to work toward 
identifying the author and assessing the credibility of the note. Despite 
our efforts, we have no information to lead us to believe the threat is 
any more or less credible than we did when it was first discovered.

The note stated that on Oct. 3, the note's author had damaged a vehicle 
window at the Savoy 16 Theaters at 232 W. Burwash Ave., Savoy. The note 
threatened that on Halloween night (Oct. 31), the suspect intends to shoot 
a person on Green Street.

More specifically, the note stated that "On Oct. 3rd 2008 I Used a Ruger 
22. caliber rifle to take shot at a black sedan in parking lot of Savoy 
Theatre." The note further stated that "On Halloween Night 2008" another 
shot will be taken "on Green Street in the night life district."

We are asking the campus community again for your help in identifying the 
person who left the note. If you have any information regarding who may 
have written the note or damaged the vehicle in Savoy, contact the 
University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216, or you may 
anonymously contact Crime Stoppers by calling 217-373-8477, by submitting 
anonymous tips online at www.373tips.com or by texting Tip397 plus the 
relevant information to 274637 (CRIMES).

Contrary to rumors circulating on campus, this is the ONLY threat we have 
received.

Although this note may be some sort of hoax or prank, we are taking it 
extremely seriously. It is also understandable that this threat is causing 
much concern for students, parents and the university community. We remain 
hopeful that the author of the note will come forward or can be identified 
prior to Halloween to relieve these concerns.

A separate task force has been planning police operations on Halloween.  
Additional police resources, assets, strategies and tactics will be 
deployed as needed throughout the campus district.

People have asked whether they should avoid Green Street on Halloween 
night. Some may choose to not be present where the threat was focused, but 
no matter where you are, we advise you to always be aware of your 
surroundings and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the 
police. 

If you are celebrating Halloween by wearing a costume, you absolutely 
should NOT carry any type of replica, toy or fake weapon. 

We encourage you to sign up for the UI Emergency Notification System at 
emergency.illinois.edu.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Interim Police Chief Jeff Christensen


This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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