Residents of Ora Manor are on high alert after an individual who is “not part of the SHU Community” was arrested after entering the building on multiple occasions. The man, identified as Dustin Robert Gamble, was charged with defiant trespassing and was incarcerated in Essex County jail just two days after Seton Hall Public Safety filed a criminal complaint with the South Orange Police Department, according to Patrick Linfante, assistant vice president for Public Safety and Security.
Brian O’Malley, residence hall director for Ora Manor, was pleased with the way Public Safety handled the situation.
“Safety within our off-campus halls is a top priority,” O’Malley said. “It is unfortunate that this individual was able to gain access to the buildings, but the situation was addressed promptly and hasn’t reoccurred since then.”
Linfante said he believes Gamble gained access to Ora by “piggy-backing,” or following residents who swiped-in to the building before the door closed.
He said the court imposed “serious sanctions” on Gamble and will take “more serious action” if he is found on Seton Hall property again.
Tara Hart, director of housing and residence life, said the most effective way to prevent individuals like Gamble from entering Seton Hall facilities is to avoid piggy-backers from entering altogether.
“I was concerned that we needed to reinforce again that we could prevent this from occurring if everyone works together to preclude opportunities which would allow a person to “piggyback” into the building, as appears to be the means of access here,” Hart said.
Linfante and Hart both said there was never a threat to the safety of Ora Manor residents. Ora resident Alex Marty, who said he saw Gamble standing on a porch across the street from the building and at a pizzeria near the building prior to the incident, said someone from outside Seton Hall entering the building illegally is “unsettling.”
“I feel safe in Ora,” he said. “But that’s not something I wanted to see. It puts everyone in a tough spot as well because now a simple task like holding the door open for someone becomes something people need to be more wary of.”
O’Malley said Ora residents were emailed about the incident and posters with Gamble’s photo have been hung at the front entrance and throughout the building. The poster urges residents to contact Public Safety if they see Gamble inside or attempting to gain access to the building.
“Community members should immediately report all suspicious persons or activity immediately to Public Safety and/ or the Police,” Linfante said. “Additionally, they should never hold a locked entry door open for anyone that is not a member of our community. They should always make certain that all locked and card access entry doors, pedestrian gates, etc. have closed completely to prevent ‘piggy backing.’”
Clayton Collier can be reached at clayton.collier@student.shu.edu.
