Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Staff member victim of scam artist
Wednesday June 26,1996 Vol. CXXVIII, No. 7
Headlines
Staying amused among the masses
If the summer blues are getting you down, journey to some of Southern California's premier happy spots. Universal Studios, Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain are all currently vying for the attention of the masses with a gamut of new attractions released this season. Here's the low-down on which amusements are worth the admission.
Diversions, page 6
Internet users bear a responsibility
A recent Federal Court ruling stated that Americans were being deprived of their free speech rights with their expressions over the Internet. Editorial writer Amer Anabtawi reminds users that though the Internet is a form of speech, users must acknowledge that they have a responsibility to use their discretion when placing things in the cyberspace.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.I.
Memorial service, holiday drivers
A memorial service will be held for Rick Herriot, a 1995 graduate, at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 30 at the Alumni House.
Herriot, who died June 6, was a former commuter senator and a member of the College Republicans.
A scholarship fund has been set up in nis memory. Donations may be sent to Washington Seminary Scholarship, P.O. Box 8132, Janefville, WI 53547. Write "In Memory of Rick Herriot" on the check's memo section.
For a memorial to Rick Herriot see page 4.
• • •
Road Angels, a non-profit safety group, is offering their services for the July 4 holiday. To prevent drunk driving, volunteer drivers are available to drive those intoxicated and their cars home. Volunteer drivers are also needed.
Call Road Angels to sign up as a volunteer or to use their service at 1-800-LA-ANGELS.
By Kamron Barron
City Editor
A recent incident in which a staff member was tricked into giving a scam artist $500 is actually a fairly common occurrence, said Bob Taylor, deputy chief of the Department of Public Safety.
About once each semester someone is approached and a "bait-and-switch" scam is attempted, Taylor said.
Taylor said the suspect often tells the victim that he wants to entrust him with money to deposit with a charity, but first the victim must prove himself trustworthy by withdrawing money from their own bank account.
"He wants you to go into the bank, withdraw that money and show it to him as an act of good faith," he said. "The only thing is when you give him your money his is just a bunch of paper. You've just got a hand
full of paper."
On June 11, a staff member was approached by a suspect stating that he was traveling to South Africa, but could not bring more than $10,000 into the
country and wanted him to deposit $20,000 into the suspect's charity, according to the incident summary report. The suspect wanted the staff member to withdraw money from his own bank account to prove that he was trustworthy.
Another person who was allegedly involved in pulling off
the scam was approached and agreed to the offer, bringing back money, which he gave to the first suspect, according to the incident summary report.
Eventually, the staff member
was convinced and gave the suspect $500, which he had withdrawn, in exchange for the $20,000. When the staff member returned home he found that the $20,000 was a roll of newspapers, while the suspect still had the $500, according to the incident summary.
"(The scam) goes by the name
Jamaican switch or charity switch, but it's commonly called bait-and-switch theft," Taylor said. "It's like a shell game when they mix up the shells with a pea under one. They move it around and switch it.”
A similar incident occurred in May, when a student was approached at the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and University Avenue, next to the Bank of America. The same story was told to the student about the return trip to South Africa, but the student refused to give the suspect money, according to another incident summary.
Taylor said this site by the Bank of America is where the scams are usually attempted.
"The suspect isn't interested in seeking help," Taylor said. "He plays on those human qualities of wanting to help or of human greed."
Orientation programs prepare newcomers
Brandon Hancock / Summer Trojan New students at a summer orientation program get a taste of the USCard line.
By Kamron Barron
City Editor
Many incoming students and their parents are getting their first look at USC during the second week of freshman orientations held this summer.
The two-day programs are designed to inform students of the services, activities and other opportunities available in the university community and allow them to become acquainted with the campus, said Peggy Kravitz, director of Orientation Programs.
"For the students, it gives them a chance to register for classes in advance, so when they move in in the fall it gives them time for settling in and things," she said. "They feel like they've got that all behind them."
Scott Wittman, an incoming freshman majoring in business, said that the orientation program and other USC programs he has attended have given him more insight about the campus and the opportunities available.
"I've been to a lot of programs, like Preview USC, before and they're really helpful," Wittman said. "They make you feel at home before you come to school. Like right now I'm becoming very comfortable with the campus."
Nine freshman orientation sessions are (See Orientation, page 3)
Gay pride celebration draws crowds in West Hollywood
By Rad Probst
Staff Writer
The 26th annual Christopher Street West Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration, held this weekend, was considered to be more than just a huge success by participants who enjoyed the huge festival and parade.
Christopher Street West began from a parade and demonstration on Hollywood Boulevard in the 1970s celebrating tne gay uprising the previous year at the Stonewall Inn in New York. Conceived by Morris Kight, the Rev. Troy Perry and the Rev. Bob Humphries, the organization of homosexuals was a forerunner in the gay and lesbian civil rights movement. Over the years the organization has grown into the largest temporary-site festival west of the Mississippi.
The festival, attended by thousands of people, was held in West Hollywood Park
and the area surrounding the Pacific Design Center on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to food stands and bmths, there were also outdoor western and disco tents set up for dancing and a main stage that was the centerpiece for performances the entire weekend.
General admission to the festival was $10, $5 for seniors and youths, which included access to all the dancing and performances. There was also alcohol available for those of age.
The food at the festival included everything from Greek falafel to Thai cuisine.
There were booths representing almost every aspect of gay and lesbian community, including representatives from the USC Lambda Alumni Association. The a1 were also fortune tellers, radio stations including one of the sponsors of the festival, 92.3 "The Beat" and community service organiza-(See Festival, page 2)
Brandan Hancock I Summar Tro|an
A musician entertain* at the festival.
He wants you to go into the bank, withdraw that money and show it to him as an act of good faith.
—DPS Deputy Chief Bob Taylor