The Times-Delphic Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
Volume 138, No. 10
www.timesdelphic.com
Campus crime heralds an increase in security measures
Early Oct. 21:
Attempted armed robbery occurred at Drake West Village
911
P E G G Y S
“He took off down the road toward the Forest Ave. Apartment buildings,” source said. Perpetrator is said to have then confronted a group of three women next to McDonald’s
Recent armed robberies arise in neighborhood near Drake
cDonald’s
Oct. 22: Director for Public Safety, Scott Law, emailed Drake students regarding the events.
PUB LIC SAF ETY
Fernando’s MEXICAN GRILL
Oct. 22 around 9:13 p.m:
Fernando's, a local restaurant is robbed
Oct 23: No further information has been provided. No more armed robberies
Rachel James News Editor rachel.james@drake.edu @kindisgroovy
Drake students were informed of two possible cases of armed robbery near campus via an email from Director for Public Safety, Scott Law, early the week of Oct. 22. One incident occurred at Drake West Village and the other at Peggy’s. The police were contacted and they investigated the nearby area after the incident at Peggy’s. The suspect was an unidentified, armed male. Increased security measures were being taken by both the local police and campus safety. On Oct. 23, Dean of Students, Jerry Parker, sent out another campus-wide email. His email addressed questions of campus safety, “In partnership with the Dean of Students Office, Drake Public Safety continually assesses campus safety, both on the Drake campus and in the surrounding area,” Parker said. “We work closely with
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PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING resides on the east side of campus on 25th Street. The number for Public Safety is (515)271-2222. For emergencies, call 911. PHOTO BY GRACE HULIN | PHOTO EDITOR
the Des Moines Police Department to address issues of concern for our students. Incidents such as Sunday morning’s crimes and last night’s robbery at Fernando’s highlights the importance of being vigilant with respect to personal safety.” Parker said that Drake will add another Des Moines Police Department officer for the next few weeks. With students participating in Halloween events, Parker urges students to take advantage of Drake’s safety resources, such as the SafeRide bus, stating the transportation service has extended its hours. As of Oct. 30, Scott Law said “not received an update from Des Moines recently,” in regard to the ongoing investigation into the robberies. The Times-Delphic reached out for a comment from West Village and Fernando’s. Both establishments declined to comment. On the morning of Oct. 21, a group of students were walking home from the Drake Village area
when a man in a black hood ran up and grabbed one of the students’ purses. The man ran off towards McDonalds where he confronted a group of three women. He showed a firearm and demanded their belongings, then ran further down the road toward the Forest Ave. Apartment buildings. The students reported the event to the police and public safety. There was no Bulldog Alert sent out at the time because of the lack of description and the fact that the suspect fled the scene. The students sent multiple emails following the incident. Public safety published an alert the following day. The following night on Oct. 22, 2018, at roughly 9:13 p.m., a Bulldog alert stating a “possible armed robbery” occurred at Fernando’s restaurant on University Ave. near Drake University was sent out to students. As director for Public Safety, Law responds to events such as these that occur around and on Drake’s campus.
PEGGY’S TAVERN where students were coming home from when confronted. PHOTO BY GRACE HULIN | PHOTO EDITOR
“Incidents such as Sunday morning’s crimes highlight the importance of being vigilant with respect to personal safety,” Law said. “We have no control of the action of an assailant, but we can effectively work to reduce their opportunities to commit a crime.”
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FERNANDO’S RESTAURANT that was robbed on Oct. 23rd, late at night. PHOTO BY GRACE HULIN | PHOTO EDITOR
Campus security is stressing the importance of taking safety precautions currently. “It is important to note that it is never a person’s fault if they are the victim of a crime, regardless of circumstances,” Law said. “However, it is also important to be thoughtful when going out.” He listed steps students can take to try to increase their safety, such as traveling in well-lit areas, walking in groups, avoiding secluded areas and carrying a phone. Several options are available to Drake students to help keep them safe, including SafeRide and the Guardian app. SafeRide is available from 8 p.m. to 1:15 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday and from 8 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. “Never hesitate,” Law said. “We are here to help. There is nothing more important to us than your safety.”