Over the Halloween weekend, six armed robberies were committed within a few miles of campus. The robberies were committed by the same male-female team between 11 pm and 1 am on both October 30 and October 31. They used black semi-automatic hand guns and ordered their victims to the ground at gunpoint, demanding either money or cell phones. During each crime, the pair alternated between performing the hold-up and acting as lookout. 

All six crimes took place off campus, but because of their proximity to Carnegie Mellon, Campus Police received a safety alert from the Pittsburgh Police and forwarded it to the Carnegie Mellon community to promote safety off campus, where many students visit or live. Four of the robberies occurred in Shadyside, one in Bloomfield, and one in central Oakland. One robbery in Shadyside occurred just one block down Copeland Street from Walnut Street, a popular night spot for students.

All of the victims were women walking alone or with a female friend. One victim was a Carnegie Mellon student. Two cell phones were stolen in the robberies.

Despite the safety risks, some students seemed indifferent about these events, dismissing them as holiday pranks. Junior Melanie Haskell said, "I don't feel any less safe since then…. I mean, it was Halloween."

Others agreed that there isn't much of a difference now, comparative to before the incidents. According to some, certain activities are expected to increase in frequency around Halloween; these crimes didn't surprise them.

Students should be especially cautious when venturing off-campus late at night. The University's Escort Service and Safewalk are available for students at night.

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