A fight early Saturday morning in York is raising safety concerns near York College, with students, families and a property manager saying many noncollege students are causing disturbances on West Jackson Street.
The latest incident became violent quickly, according to residents.
Large gathering erupts into violence
Students who live on the street said the violence followed a large gathering that included more than 100 people in the 300 block of West Jackson Street, near Jessop Place.
“They move up onto their porch, and they start it, you know, they throw, they throw cans around, they’re banging on the door,” said a York College student, who wished to remain anonymous. “So, a girl comes down, says, hey, get off my property.”
The noncollege students immediately attacked the girl, who resides at the West Jackson Street home, according to witnesses.
“Literally 8 to 12 girls grabbing this girl by her hair, punching her, kicking her. They dragged her from her porch onto the street,” said another anonymous York College student.
Students say safety problems are worsening
Three York College students who spoke anonymously with WGAL News 8 on the record Tuesday said they do not feel safe on Jackson Street because of noncollege students coming to party.
“My best memories that I have being here at York College have been on this street. Hanging out with my friends and everything, and it just seems like it’s becoming dangerous,” said one anonymous student.
The York College students, some of whom have lived on West Jackson Street for more than two years, say local, noncollege students come to their block often and cause disturbances. They added it is getting worse.
Prior to the fight, some of the off-campus college residents recorded video of the moments before a drag race and described the scene as chaotic. One of the cars in the video they shared nearly crashed into a crowd of 10 students.
“It’s scary seeing 200 people out here who are yelling,” said an anonymous student.
Anthony Berrios, a property manager on Jackson Street, said he has managed several properties there for more than a dozen years.
“When the locals come up to hang out with them, go inside,” said Berrios. “Don’t hang out with them because it’s just getting out of control. We can’t do anything as landlords or property managers; that’s out of our control. That would be the police department.”
Police response draws criticism
York City Police Capt. Daniel Lentz told News 8 officers responded early Saturday morning but were late because of an unrelated incident from the previous night, around 8:30 p.m. Friday, involving a person who fired a gun and barricaded themselves.
Berrios and students say police took too long to arrive. Several college students who spoke both on camera and off camera say they called 9-1-1 long before the fight when the crowd started to form around midnight.
“You got three women beating up on the person, and the shooting was more important? I mean, I’m not minimizing it, but come on, how many police officers are here in York?” said Berrios.
College offers on-campus housing
York College said the houses are off-campus housing and that neither the college nor campus police have jurisdiction on West Jackson Street.
In a statement, York College spokesperson Julie Loeper said, “York College leadership has been, and continues to be, in active discussions with York City leadership and local law enforcement regarding community safety in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus.”
Following the incident, the college offered students living on West Jackson Street housing on campus if they felt unsafe with their current living situation.
The condition of the York College student involved in the fight is unknown at this time.
Capt. Lentz said Tuesday afternoon police identified one person as a suspect but have not made any arrests or filed charges. York City Police are investigating.
Full York College statement
“Student safety is always the highest priority for York College. York College of Pennsylvania is aware of an off-campus incident that occurred on the evening of Friday, September 11, on West Jackson Street, involving individuals unaffiliated with the College and students not living in college housing.
“According to York City Police, individuals not affiliated with the College initiated a physical altercation after being asked to leave the property by a student.
“York College leadership has been, and continues to be, in active discussions with York City leadership and local law enforcement regarding community safety in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus.
“Additionally, the College is actively offering support to affected students, including providing the option for any students living on West Jackson Street who wish to relocate back to campus housing to do so.
“The 300 block of West Jackson Street, where the altercation took place, is an off-campus property not owned by the College and falls outside the jurisdiction of York College Campus Safety. The York City Police Department has jurisdiction over that area. Their officers responded to the scene and are handling the investigation.
“As always, York College is dedicated to the well-being of our campus community and takes the safety and security of our students very seriously.”