The Communique

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Scott Kintzel

On Sunday, Sept. 9, Iowa City Police Officers responded to two cases of assault.

Both cases were acts against women who were walking alone in the downtown area of Iowa City. Both women were accosted but only received minor injuries.

The two cases on Sept. 9 are the latest incidents of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. Representatives from the Iowa City Police Department said they are continuing the investigation.

These were the second and third such attempted sexual assaults that occurred in Iowa City since Aug. 31 and the 32nd attempted sexual assault, since Sept. 1, 2006. The Iowa City Police Department is reviewing records, looking for possible connections.

One common denominator for all these cases was the lack of a companion. All of these women were walking by themselves.

According to the Iowa City Police Department, there are several safety measures, listed on the left, that these women could have implemented to avoid being placed in a dangerous situation.

Although the recent assaults have not occurred on Kirkwood property, Director of Security Tom Spartz said the Iowa City Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department and Kirkwood Security are all working together in order to prevent any future incidents of this nature from occurring.

"Student safety is the top priority of campus security," Tom Kaldenberg, director of facilities at Kirkwood said.

"We work closely with the Cedar Rapids Police Department and they alert us of any possible threats in the area," Kaldenberg added.

Those who have knowledge about any of these cases mentioned are encouraged to contact the Iowa City Police Department at 356-5275 or call Crime Stoppers at 358-8477. To report an incident on the Kirkwood campus, call the crisis hotline at 533-5761 or campus security at 389-1774.

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