Peeping Tom Incidents Concern Local Sororities

Chapel Hill police were notified of three reports of peeping toms in the past two months and have received six total reports since January.

The most recent incident occurred last week at the Delta Zeta sorority house, located at 420 Hillsborough St.

Chapel Hill police spokeswoman Jane Cousins said a man entered the sorority house and proceeded to leave feces on the kitchen floor, walls and bathroom.

Cousins said police have no suspects at this time.

Last January, the Pi Beta Phi sorority house also experienced a break-in. Laura Anderson, a house resident said she found the offender in her room.

"We actually had a guy come in the house at 4:30 a.m.," Anderson said.

A peeping tom also made his presence known on Bid Day, Aug. 29.

Lee Law, house mother of Chi Omega sorority, said a man stood outside the Chi Omega house with a video camera for at least an hour as girls ran to the houses that had given them bids and congregated on the front lawn.

Law said she told the man to leave the property, but she was told by police that his action was not illegal because he stood on the sidewalk. "It was very uncomfortable and creepy," Law said.

The second incident this year happened Sept. 4 at the Kappa Delta sorority house, where reports state that a suspect was trespassing behind the house. There were no arrests made.

Jay Anhorn, director of Greek Affairs, said because these are private houses, residents should file complaints with the Chapel Hill police. "I think they are safe as possible. They are well monitored -- as any other private housing would be," he said.

Anhorn also said the University and Greek Affairs have little role in addressing these issues.

Chapel Hill police have made few arrests in these cases. One man was arrested Feb. 21 for peeping at the Kappa Delta house that same month.

Reports state that John Thomas Whitt, 49, of 2089 Virgilina Road in Roxboro, videotaped the sorority members through windows on the roof.

Chapel Hill police discovered in a follow-up report that this man had 87 reported peeping incidents. "At the time the girls felt very violated and upset," Law said.

Lindsay Shookus, president of Chi Omega sorority, says the houses are perfect targets. "You know it is all girls," Shookus said. "There's not the risk of running into men that might be intimidating."

Anderson said extra precaution was taken in response to the actions.

"All these girls are more cautious," Anderson said. "Now the windows are locked, the blinds are drawn. They know if they see anyone suspicious to call the police. We check things a lot more now than before."

Law said she has taken extra precaution to have security guards outside the Chi Omega house on Halloween, as have other house mothers.

"You worry about the girls. You don't want anyone to get hurt."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.