Report on Campus Information Session
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
9-10:45 p.m.

Approximately 150 students, and some faculty, staff, community members and media, attended an information session on the disappearance of Adam Falcon ’06. This report will summarize the information shared, either from direct statement by Canton Police Chief Alan Mulkin, or in response to questions posed to Chief Mulkin and to St. Lawrence leadership. It will be organized by topic; although several topics came up at different times during the evening, the responses are summarized here, for clarity.

Participating in the session were:

• President Daniel F. Sullivan
• Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Grant Cornwell
• Vice President and Dean of Student Life and Co-Curricular Education M.L. Petty
• Interim Director of Security and Safety Patrick Gagnon
• Canton Police Chief Alan Mulkin

Assistant Professor of Speech and Theatre Traci Fordham-Hernandez facilitated the question-and-answer session.

Opening Statements:

President Sullivan welcomed the audience and explained that while our communications have been frequent about the search for Adam Falcon, they have been one-way, and he and his colleagues wanted a chance to hear questions and respond with any information they could about the search and about the resources available to students.

Chronology of the Investigation:

Chief Mulkin began with an overview of the investigation.

At around 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, the Canton police received notice from St. Lawrence University Soccer Coach Robert Durocher that Adam Falcon had not reported for his assignment, videotaping the soccer team, at its game earlier in the day. Coach Durocher reported that members of the team began to contact friends and classmates right after the game, and when they could not locate him, they began to conduct their own search of the campus and village. By 10 p.m., those searching believed they needed police assistance. By 12:40 a.m., Sunday, Chief Mulkin was contacted at home about the disappearance, the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services was involved, and communications about Adam’s disappearance began to be circulated statewide.

Adam was last seen leaving the back door of the Tick Tock at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

On Sunday morning, Canton Police began a search, aided by members of the men’s and women’s soccer teams, by members of the Canton Fire Department and Rescue Squad, SUNY Canton Police, St. Lawrence Security and Safety, and a number of student and staff volunteers. By 3:30 p.m., searchers concluded they had covered the grids assigned, to no result. Through Sunday night, Canton police continued to interview friends and others who might provide leads; about 60 interviews have been conducted to date, and will continue. Chief Mulkin said that the information gathered in these interviews offered consistency about Adam’s activities.

On Monday, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department personnel and New York State Police joined the search effort. The Little River and Grass River were searched by the Ogdensburg Fire Department boaters all day, and a helicopter search of the village and area region took place Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, a Canton Police officer found a cell phone on the porch of the rectory serving St. Mary’s Church and the Newman Center on Court Street. The cell phone was identified as one of two Adam had been using; the cell phone located belonged to a friend and had last been used about 11 p.m. Friday night. A hat had been found on Sunday at the rear of 3-5 Chapel Street, between the Glass Onion and the Tick Tock, and Adam’s father later identified the hat as his son’s. The identification of the cell phone and hat caused Canton police to focus their search, and Search-and-Rescue units – four handlers and four dogs – began work Tuesday afternoon. Additional handlers and dogs will arrive Wednesday. Chief Mulkin stressed that at this stage of the investigation, it would be more effective to allow the skilled teams to work on their own, but that if they were unsuccessful, volunteers may be required later this week.

Chief Mulkin also asked that anyone who may have information that would be useful to the investigation come forward. He worries that students or community members may be reluctant to do so because it would be evident that individuals may have been involved themselves in behaviors that could be considered problematic. Chief Mulkin stated that the emphasis of the interviews is to obtain information that will lead authorities to find Adam, and that they are not seeking other types of information.

In response to questions, Chief Mulkin confirmed the following search details:

*Security tapes have been collected or viewed from the banks and businesses that use them. Adam’s father has been reviewing the tapes.

*Specific homes and buildings in Canton near the location of the cell phone and hat have been searched.

*Individual residence hall rooms at St. Lawrence have not been entered and searched. At students’ urging, Dean Petty agreed that she would work with CAs and RCs to begin this process, with each resident’s permission. We will conduct it under the guidelines set by the Student Handbook (pg. 125) and with student's cooperation. She agreed that only information relating to Adam would be sought.

* Canton residents have been asked to check storage sheds, garages, porches, vehicles and other places in which someone might take refuge. Areas that have been searched have been marked by police tape and the tape should remain to help the searchers.

*All public spaces in residence halls (including theme and Greek houses) and academic buildings have been searched.

*Cell phone records and bank account records have been checked. There has been no action since Friday night.

*No other evidence has been located.

*Colder temperatures that have been the case in recent days restricted the effectiveness of some types of search dogs, but the dogs being used as of Tuesday were sensitized to detect clues in any climate conditions.

*Security staff at all colleges in northern New York, and in Burlington, Vermont, have been contacted and flyers are posted on other campuses.

*Road blocks may be set up Friday evening, to reach people (such as those who drive delivery vehicles and commute regularly) who normally pass by the prime downtown search area at the time of Adam’s disappearance to try to find information they might not have thought relevant to this point.

In response to questions about possible causes for Adam’s disappearance, Chief Mulkin said:

*No evidence exists to indicate abduction but all possibilities are being considered. Students asked about a rumor that a man in a white Ford Explorer had offered students rides during the weekend. Chief Mulkin confirmed he had heard that as well but the reports indicated that the driver did not behave in a threatening way; later in the evening, Chief Mulkin said that the owner of the Ford Explorer had stepped forward minutes earlier and identified himself and is not involved.

*No evidence exists of a high-impact accident, such as skid marks. A low-impact accident would not necessarily leave clues.

*No evidence exists connecting the disappearance of a teenage girl in Watertown and Adam's disappearance.

*Responding to a question about Adam’s state of mind, Chief Mulkin said that some interviews have indicated Adam may have felt depressed, though his feelings seemed not to be a factor. Coach Durocher later confirmed that Adam had expressed frustration at not being able to play this season due to an injury, but had been active in team management.

*Chief Mulkin confirmed that those interviewed agree Adam likely was intoxicated when he left the Tick Tock, though was able to walk and speak.

Major Questions Addressed to Campus Staff:

Assistance to Adam’s family: Dean Petty said that Adam’s family were contacted early Sunday morning and have been in Canton, assisting with the investigation. President and Mrs. Sullivan met with them on their arrival and Student Life staff are available at all times for any needs. Staff are respecting the family’s wishes for contact and help.

Request to establish a “safe ride” from bars: President Sullivan stressed his opposition to the University creating a ride program to bring students home from bars. He noted research that indicated such programs do not have intended effects and that they may, in fact, encourage binge drinking. He said that the University does and will continue to educate about responsible drinking, especially through the Alcohol Initiative, but that the University cannot and will not assume responsibility for students’ drinking choices. Students must learn how to make choices about their behaviors, and take responsibility for the choices they make.

\In continuing conversation about this topic, students expressed their frustration with this position and said that a safe bus could provide medical intervention. President Sullivan noted that drivers of such vehicles could not be expected to be emergency medical technicians. Pat Gagnon and Chief Mulkin both stressed that if a student required medical intervention, campus security and 911 were both effective options and have been called from both campus and off-campus locations.

 Safe walks program: Pat Gagnon explained the safe walks program established this fall. On Friday and Saturday nights, 11 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. , anyone downtown can call Security and Security will send someone to walk back to campus with the caller. Safe walks address concerns about being alone as well as concerns about ability to make it home after drinking, but do presume an ability to walk. Students suggested extending the Safe Walk hours and promoting it more aggressively. Pat Gagnon agreed he would work to do both. He also confirmed that Safe Walks are available on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students also asked if security officers driving on Park Street and other frequently traveled areas of the village could stop and ask students walking if they need any help, especially if they see a student walking alone. Pat Gagnon agreed they would increase this service. He confirmed that two officers are on duty at each shift, one on foot patrol on campus, and one in a vehicle patrolling the perimeter of campus.