University of Virginia Library

Haugh Accuses University Officials
Of Concealing Crime On Grounds

By PHIL KIMBALL

Albemarle Commonwealth's
Attorney Charles R. Haugh has
accused the University of
covering up crime and
obstructing security officers in
the performance of their
duties.

The University has since
demanded proof from Mr.
Haugh, but he refuses
to reveal his evidence except in
the county Circuit Court.

Security Report Due

A critical study of the
Security Department, prepared
for the University by the
International Association of
Chiefs of Police, is due to be
delivered to the administration
this Friday. It is expected that
the report will be released to
the public as soon as it is
reviewed by University
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr.

Kyle Sentenced

Mr. Haugh made the
charges at the Jan. 12
sentencing of William Kyle, 19,
convicted of rape and
abduction of a University
woman student last spring.

Kyle received 20-year
sentences on each count.

"The University grounds are
unsafe for women and
University officials have not
sufficiently warned coeds of
this fact," he stated before the
court.

Crimes Covered Up

"Undesirable elements are
attracted to the area because
crime there is being covered up
and they (the undesirable
elements) know they will never
get caught."

"Major crimes aren't
committed by students at the
University. It's the hangers on.
They go there because they
don't think they will be
arrested," he stated.

Security Officers Restricted

"The University security
officers I have talked to are not
being allowed to act like police
officers," he asserted.

Later that evening when asked
about pressing charges he
claimed, "I can't touch the
University. They aren't
answerable to the Circuit Court
anymore. But if they were, I'd
do what I did before–have the
matter set for a hearing."

Jurisdiction over the
University was shifted last
April when the University
asked that the Circuit Court
void the county authority
granted the security force. The
security force was then
re-deputized by the city's
Corporation Court.

No Arrest Interference

University Security Director
W. Wade Bromwell dismissed
Mr. Haugh's accusations.
"We've never interfered with
an arrest," he claimed. "You
don't always make an arrest,
however. You may want to
discuss it with the
commonwealth's attorney,
investigate the situation a little
more, but you don't have to
make the arrest right at that
moment."

Three days later City
Commonwealth's Attorney
John T. Camblos said that he
believed crimes were not
"covered up" by the Security
Department. Referring to Mr.
Haugh's charges Mr. Camblos
said, "I don't think he's right,
but I don't want to get into a
public argument with (him).
Maybe he knows something I
don't. I don't think he does."

Charges Discussed

University Legal Advisor
Neill H. Alford Jr. met with
Mr. Haugh the next day, Jan.
16, to discuss the charges.
Following the 90 minute
meeting, Mr. Alford stated,
"We want any information that
he may have and we want it
promptly to correct any
difficulties we might have." No
examples of failure to enforce
the law were discussed at the
time.

Edwin M. Crawford,
University vice president for

public affairs, announced
earlier that day that, "The
Grounds...are not now and will
not be a haven for law
breakers."

"For the past year, the
University has been working
closely with law enforcement
agencies in the city, county
and state to improve security
and safety on the Grounds and
in the entire community."

Mr. Haugh, in a statement
released the same day, replied
to the University's challenge to
produce "specific information"
regarding the alleged failure to
enforce the law.

"I have absolutely no
intention of disclosing any
information or the names of
my informants, unless these
informants are under the
control of and have the
protection of the Albemarle
Circuit Court."

"If President Shannon
desires to cooperate with
county law enforcement
officers, as he now claims, and
does not simply want to cover
up the situation that exists at
the University then he will