This week in Campus Safety news: A fire in Tingelstad Residence Hall set off the sprinkler system and resulted in the flooding of several rooms. We have the full fire department report and 911 call here. Also this week: Marijuana was found in a student’s room and someone painted a swastika on the ground with water. Explore our interactive incident map to learn more.
10/31 Tingelstad Wellness Check
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 9:45 AM
Location: Tingelstad Residence Hall
Synopsis:Â Campus Safety officers conducted a wellness check for a student after a reporting person advised they had received messages on their phone leading them to believe the student was contemplating self-harm. Officers contacted PLU Residential Life staff and together they contacted the student. The student was very cooperative and forthright in discussing their feelings and denied any immediate intention of self-harm. Residential Life staff informed officers that follow-up with PLU Student Rights & Responsibilities and the PLU Counseling center would be conducted by Residential Life.
11/2 Escort Shuttle Violation
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 5:58 PM
Location: Pacific Avenue South & 125th Street South
Synopsis:Â Campus Safety received a request for a shuttle escort from an off-campus student and an unidentified person. The request was to be dropped-off at 125th St S and Pacific Ave S. After completing the escort, officers observed the student walk to the Haven Tavern, which is a violation of escort policy. This incident has been forwarded to PLU Student Rights & Responsibilities for review.
11/3 Tingelstad Fire & Flooding
Date: Friday, November 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Location: Tingelstad Residence Hall, Room 814
Details:Â A stove fire in Tingelstad Residence Hall room 814 caused significant fire, smoke, and water damage to that room, plus water damage to at least 12 other rooms on the eighth floor. Combustible materials had been stored on top of a stove in the room and the stove’s heating element was accidentally turned on as a resident was leaving the room at approximately 12:00 PM. At approximately 1:00 PM, the building’s fire alarm reported a fault on Floor 8. Immediately following, the building’s fire alarm was activated automatically when the fire sprinkler system was activated. Campus Safety waited to call Central Pierce Fire & Rescue until responding Safety Officers confirmed that the building’s fire alarm was sounding at 1:03 PM. No smoke or fire were initially visible from the outside of the building. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Engine 61 was dispatched at 1:04 PM and arrived at 1:10 PM. Battalion Chief 66, Ladder Truck 68, and Pierce County Fire Investigator 9909 also responded. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler in room 814 and a firefighter turned off the stove, which was glowing red-hot upon arrival. PLU Facilities Management staff arrived at 1:22 PM and shut off the sprinkler. Firefighters assisted with water cleanup on multiple floors and multiple rooms throughout the building. Several PLU departments were notified to aid in cleanup and assist displaced students. At 1:50 PM, the building’s fire alarm was disabled, the building was placed on manual fire-watch, and the hall was cleared for re-entry except for floor 8. Firefighters cleared the scene at 3:30 PM and Campus Safety officers cleared at approximately 4:00 PM. The estimated total loss is $40,000.
Read the Fire Department’s full incident report here
Read the Fire Marshal’s full investigation report here
Listen to the 911 call from Campus Safety to the Fire Department:
Note: This 911 call recording is provided as received from South Sound 911. For student privacy, the Mast has removed the phone numbers of resident students in the incident reports. Update 11/15: Added Fire Marshal investigation report.
Pflueger Marijuana Violation
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Location: Pflueger Residence Hall
Synopsis: A Pflueger Hall Resident Assistant reported to Campus Safety that he smelled marijuana coming from a resident room. Campus Safety officers contacted one of the occupants of the room. A marijuana bong was in plain view on a desk and the resident also produced a small bag of marijuana and another marijuana pipe. A student-led room search was conducted and a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka was found in the refrigerator. The student was cooperative and officers explained the policies being violated. All items were disposed of in according with PLU policies. This incident has been referred to PLU Student Rights & Responsibilities.
11/4 Ordal Water Graffiti
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Location: Ordal Residence Hall, near main entrance
Synopsis:Â Campus Safety officers responded to the main entrance of Ordal Residence Hall after receiving a report of a swastika symbol drawn on the pavement using water. Officers obscured the drawings with more water. No suspect information is available.
Incident data is provided to Mast Media by the PLU Department of Campus Safety. Specific information requests should be directed to campussafety@plu.edu. Campus Safety does not publish reports on false activations of fire, intrusion, or panic alarms. Incident synopses are edited by Mast Media for clarity and privacy purposes.
View all Campus Safety Incident Reports
