UNF issues trespass warning to man 'talking with female students and following them'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man has been issued a trespass warning from the University of North Florida campus after the university said the man was talking with female students and following them on Monday afternoon.

According to an alert from UNF, the University Police Department determined that 31-year-old Aaron Clark did not commit a crime, but trespassed him from the campus because students said he made them feel "uncomfortable and afraid."

Clark, who drives a black 2018 Jeep Wrangler, is not a UNF student and told police he is homeless. Clark was told by officers that if he returns to campus, he would be arrested.

UNF said that an alert was not initially sent out because Clark was removed from campus within an hour of the incident being reported.

The university said incorrect information has been circulating on social media and this case is not related to a case at the University of Florida.

On Wednesday some students told Action News Jax they were upset they were not notified of the situation and learned about it through a Snapchat message.

Freshman Layney Giles said, “We had to hear it from rumors on Snapchat because it might not be true anyways so it’s good to hear it from the school itself.”

A UNF parent reached out to Action News Jax worried for their daughter’s safety and concerned the school hadn’t sent an alert to the campus.

Reporter Beth Rousseau reached out to a spokesperson for the university about the incident, the school didn’t post the alert until after that contact was made.

Student Kendyl Leslie described, “You hear all these stories about other colleges these days with rape and everything so it’s scary to us.”

Female students said they'd like clearer communication from the school in the future.
Giles explained, "I normally feel pretty safe on this campus but I was concerned someone would follow me back last night."

Suspicious activity on campus can be reported by calling 911, calling from a Code Blue Emergency Phone on campus or through the UPD’s Silent Witness Program. Students can also call the non-emergency UPD number at any time for an escort: (904) 620-2800.

Cox Media Group