(Des Moines, IA) -- Security is ramped this weekend at Drake University in Des Moines after a report this week of an attempted abduction of a Drake student. Des Moines Police say the report came from someone other than the victim, and investigators are waiting to hear directly from the victim. Drake sent this letter out this week.

Letter to the Campus Community:

Earlier today, Drake Public Safety received a report of an attempted abduction of a Drake student to have occurred overnight on the west edge of campus. Using campus video recordings, DPS was able to confirm the timeline and presence of the vehicle reportedly involved in the attempted abduction, however, have been unable to make out the vehicle’s make, model, or license plate number.

The safety of our campus community is a top priority and a fundamental component of our mission. We are focused on ensuring the appropriate people and systems are in place to protect the campus community. We also encourage community members to take steps to further enhance safety, including traveling in groups of two or more, utilizing the Safe Ride Bus and the Rave Guardian App, and immediately reporting any unusual occurrences to Public Safety and the Des Moines Police Department.

The following are reminders of measures in place to enhance campus safety:

Des Moines Off-duty Police Officers are assigned to the campus Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The Safe Ride bus is available Sunday–Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. and Thursday–Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.
If the Safe Ride bus is not operating for any reason, Drake Public Safety is always available to accompany students, faculty, and staff across campus. Requests can be made at any time by calling 515-271-2222.
The RAVE Guardian app offers a network of security communication tools. If you have not downloaded the app, please do so as soon as possible and familiarize yourself with its features. An important feature of this app allows everyone to hit a “panic button” that immediately notifies Drake Public Safety of your location so that officers may respond quickly.
We urge everyone on campus to stay aware of any unusual circumstances and to immediately notify Drake Public Safety about any security concerns.

Although we strive to prevent criminal incidents on and around our campus in partnership with the Des Moines Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, there are no guarantees that crime and emergencies will not impact our University. Therefore, we must remain aware and informed to maintain personal and institutional safety. Our Emergency Management team will be assessing this current situation, evaluating all current steps taken and resources in place, and providing additional information to the campus community as it becomes available.

As we approach the weekend, please be safe and never hesitate to notify Drake Public Safety 24/7 by calling 515-271-2222. Thank you for your individual efforts to foster a safe and secure community in which we all can thrive.

Sincerely,

Scott Law, Executive Director, Drake Public Safety & University Operations

Jerry Parker, Vice President & Dean of Students

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