BY RACHEL JAMES
Two possible cases of armed robbery have occurred near Drake University’s campus. According to an email sent out from Director for Public Safety, Scott Law, 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 current suspect is an unidentified, armed male. Increased security measures are being taken by both the local police and campus safety.
One of the friends of a student involved, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, explained what happened that night.
“My friend was walking home to Drake Village on the sidewalk next to Subway,” said the student. “When she was walking with her friend up the stairs to reach the front door of the apartment building, a man with a black hood on ran and grabbed her crossbody purse from her. He got it off of her by pulling on it so hard it ripped off, please note that the purse was expensive and was, in no quality, to easily rip off. After the man ran down the street with her purse, he then confronted a group of three women next to McDonald’s, who also happened to be my friends. At that moment, he showed them his gun and demanded all of their belongings on them. After that, he took off down the road toward the Forest Ave. Apartment buildings.”
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.
“It’s just very disappointing,’ the student said. “My friend notified Public Safety the night of the incident following the crime. After sending multiple emails following the incident from multiple people, it took them until very early this morning to even publish a warning/Bulldog Alert for students.”
As director for Public Safety, Scott Law responds to events such as these that occur around and on Drake’s campus.
“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.”
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.”
Article updated Oct. 26, 2018.
