Security concerns hit home
Two female students at the University of Indianapolis were approached on Feb. 9 on separate occasions by an armed man who demanded money. When they were unable to produce any money, the man fled south on Shelby Street. Campus police were contacted immediately after the incident, at approximately 7:25 p.m.
A lockdown of campus residence halls was issued by the campus police. Resident Assistants worked to keep their residents inside the building until the lockdown was lifted. No Watchdog alert was issued until approximately an hour and 45 minutes later.
Mick Reddick, chief of police and director of campus safety, declined to comment on the situation.
The suspect remains at large.
“Our university communications policy calls for students and faculty and staff to be alerted as soon as possible when there is any sort of risk to their safety on campus,” said Scott Hall, assistant director of university communications. “The policy also gives discretion to our campus police to follow their training and handle each unique situation in the way that seems best to them.”
As students sought clarification of the situation, inconsistent rumors went viral throughout Twitter and other social media websites. Local news media covered the developing story, which was picked up by wire services and relayed by national outlets such as the Chicago Tribune’s website, while a campus alert was still nowhere to be found.
“There was a temporary communications gap,” Hall said. “In the meantime, students got information in other means and a lot of misinformation went around.”
A Watchdog alert was issued via phone call, text message or e-mail around 9:10 p.m. to signal an all-clear to the campus community and to clarify false rumors about the attempted robberies.
“That’s one of the goals of communicating to people,” Hall said. “It’s not only to give them information about a security issue, but also to keep rumors from spreading.”
Kory Vitangeli, associate vice-president for student affairs and dean of students, typically helps organize Watchdog alerts.
“At that time, once we realized that social media had taken hold and false information had gotten out there, we decided to use them to get accurate information out there,” Vitangeli said. “The intent of the Watchdog alert was to clarify to everyone what had really happened.”
Vitangeli noted that in typical situations, such as weather-related closings, staff members have time to prepare a script for the Watchdog alert.
Many students were upset by the lack of communication on the university’s part.
“Typically, if a campus is going to be locked down, the only way to make the campus aware would be a Watchdog [alert],” Vitangeli said. “That’s the only way that we have to notify the entirety of campus. In this situation, when the decision was made to notify just the residence halls, you’re leaving out everyone in Campus Apartments and classes.”
Vitangeli sent a campus-wide e-mail the next day explaining the situation and why there was a delay in communication. A separate e-mail, sent to residents in the Campus Apartments, directly addressed the lack of communication and offered to address any additional concerns students might have.
Campus policies and procedures are being closely examined following the disturbance, according to Vitangeli.
“That’s part of what we’re looking at in the wake of it,” Vitangeli said. “[We’re] examining every step that was taken and comparing it to our policy and seeing whether a change in policy is necessary.”
Graphic by Stephanie Snay
