"None of us is ever completely safe from this kind of crime, but we should all take whatever precautions we can to keep ourselves safe," he wrote.

O'Keefe also called on House residents to support the victim in the wake of the assault.

Also yesterday, the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) issued a community advisory to students, cautioning that they be especially alert when in the Square and near an empty lot at Mass Ave. and Arrow Street.

While refusing to discuss patrol patterns, HUPD and CPD officials said that they are aware that skinheads were suspected in the recent attacks.

"Officers in the area are certainly aware of them," HUPD Captain Jack Stanton said yesterday.

Scott Nickerson, who was talking with friends in the pit outside the Harvard Square T stop last night, said he was in the pit on Tuesday night when police came by seeking information about Tuesday's assault. Nickerson said police searched several young men with shaved heads who were in the area at the time.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to contact CPD detective Steve Lyons at (617) 349-3368.