BLOOMINGTON — The IU Police Department is giving warning about recent suspicious activity on campus targeting students, issuing a Public Safety Advisory (PSA) Saturday night.
IUPD can issue Public Safety Advisories for any non-Clery crimes. Crime Notices are issued for crimes required by the Clery Act.
IU Police received two separate reports on Jan. 8 and 11 about suspicious activity targeting students, according to the PSA.
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On Jan. 8, officers were called to a portion of David Baker Avenue for reports that an unknown male in a white van was taking photographs of sorority applicants as they walked on the sidewalk.
A 40-year-old man, who IU Police says has no affiliation with the university, was later identified as the person in the van and was banned from all IU property for one year. IU Public Safety Public Information Officer Hannah Skibba said no charges are being pursued against the man at this time.
The second report, on Jan. 11, IUPD says was for a suspicious vehicle and person who was reportedly driving on Eagleson Avenue, falsely claiming he was with an IU ride service and giving rides home.
The vehicle was a black SUV with an IU sticker on the back of the vehicle, driven by a white male with short brown hair, according to the PSA.
The man reportedly slowed down next a female IU student, insisting she get in the vehicle, but the woman did not.
IU Police says no IU ride share service will start until Jan. 13, when students return to campus for spring classes.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is encouraged to call the IU Police Department at 812-855-4111.
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IU Police also shared several safety tips for students who encounter similar situations:
- Always close and lock all doors and windows to your residence, room, or office when you leave.
- Always take your keys with you, even if you leave for only a short time.
- Do not lend your keys to anyone you do not know and trust.
- Always report suspicious behavior. IU has blue light emergency phones located throughout the campus that connect directly to IUPD.
- Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be distracted by your cellphone.
- Avoid walking alone whenever possible.
- Use well-lit, regularly traveled walks and pathways, especially at night. Avoid shortcuts and keep away from shrubbery, bushes, alleyways, or any other poorly lit area where an assailant might be lurking.
- Keep your ears clear of headphones and your hands free of packages or bags.
- Report suspicious behavior, even if you are not being directly threatened. IU has blue light emergency phones located throughout the campus that connect directly to IUPD.
- Do not get into anyone's vehicle until you can confirm they are an official ride service. Examples of IU ride services would include IU busses and IU Ride.
- Verify the driver and car before getting in. Share your trip with a friend. Sit in the backseat and wear your seatbelt. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, cancel the ride.
Additional safety tips can be found online at: https://protect.iu.edu/police-safety/safety-prevention/index.html
