“Gina Wilson Green, Charlotte Murray Pace, Pam Kinamore, Dene Colomb, Carrie Yoder.” These were the words 200 audience members heard as they looked their neighbor in the eye at the Students Against the Serial Killer rally held Thursday in Free Speech Alley.
As Lisa, Citizens Against the Serial Killer president who did not want her last name printed, spoke those words, she built an intense feeling among the audience as she stressed that anyone can be a victim.
“Why not me?” Lisa said. “Why not your neighbor?”
Lisa and other members of CASK, along with Ann Pace, Charlotte Murray Pace’s mother, and Lynne Marino, Pam Kinamore’s mother, were among a group of speakers who addressed the audience at the rally coordinated by two University students.
The rally was coordinated to give students information about the serial killer investigation’s person of interest and about safety.
Pace said the 200 students and media gave the reaction people have been waiting for.
She said in order to find the person responsible for the murders, the community must refuse to become a part of the victim pool and become hunters themselves.
“We have to be alert and aware enough to catch this malignant, cowardly toad of a human being,” Pace said.
Though controversy has surrounded the task force’s actions, Pace said it is the best resource the community has.
“This is not an episode of ‘CSI’ or ‘Law and Order,'” she said. “We must work with and not against our best resource — the task force.”
Marino said the most important thing a person can do is be alert. She said people must be willing to call in about suspicious activities.
“If someone is following you, do not call the tipline — call 911,” Marino said.
Chancellor Mark Emmert also said the University is doing everything to help the task force. He said it is important for students to pay attention to official sources and not to believe all rumors.
“Be vigilant. Do not let rumors and innuendos tear us apart,” Emmert said.
Nancy Thomas, Pam Kinamore’s sister, said the rally was encouraging because it added passion to a group who has been working for so long.
“We travel back and forth to Baton Rouge — and we don’t live here — just to raise awareness,” Thomas said. “This keeps pressure on the man and says this is not going to die down.”
Laurie Lynch, a communication disorders sophomore, said she has begun to call people whenever she walks out of her door at night.
She is a member of the Army Scotch Guard and said members will be attending the rallies to promote awareness.
“One person can make a difference,” Lynch said.
The task force also set up a command center Thursday in the parking lot behind the Union to hand out questionnaires and talk to students about the investigation.
“A lot of activity involving these cases is around this area,” said East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Darrell O’Neal. “We are prompting students to be aware and alert.”
Students with information about the investigation and questions were able to meet with a police officer inside the command center for confidentiality.
Students also received a condensed version of the serial killer profile giving the behavioral characteristics people should look for when calling in a tip.