By
PATRICK ARMSTRONG
Editor in Chief
&
JENELLE GREWELL
News Editor

On Wednesday, March 17, a student who claimed to be a victim of an attempted abduction incident on Tuesday, March 16, filed a police report.

On Friday, March 19, at 8:34 p.m., APSU issued an e-mail alert to all students, faculty and staff saying Campus Police had received an attempted abduction incident report on campus.

The target was unable to recall any descriptions of the person or vehicle.

“There is no further information on the incident. No details were provided. This is why the information was disseminated,” said Chief of Campus Police Lantz Biles.

Biles said there is not investigation because not only does the witness not remember anything but it was reported 12 hours after the incident. Biles said there were no cameras in the area of incident to attempt an investigation. As for press time on Monday, March 22, the police report was not available for The All State.

On Saturday, March 20, at 8:09 a.m., a text message alert was sent out about the attempted abduction, telling receivers to check their e-mail for more information.

“This posting was not a timely notification. The incident did not pose a ongoing threat to the university community but we wanted to keep everyone informed of what little information we had,” Biles said.

“Students have to be responsible for their own safety,” Biles said. He said students need to communicate with campus police. He said there are only about three officers on duty at a time and 14 officers total. “How do you cover a whole campus?” he said.

Biles said students need to be alert and aware of their surroundings and report any incidents that seem dangerous as soon as they happen to the police.

Campus does not allow weapons such as mace or pepper spray.

Biles said weapons are not reliable and they could get taken from you and used against you. He said as alternative, take a self-defense class and have a plan of action. “You can always have your own personal weapons, such as punching and kicking,” Biles said.

The Foy Fitness and Recreation Center offers four classes in self defense: Kenpo Karate on Mondays from 5-5:45 p.m., Women’s Rape Awareness Prevention and Survival (WRAPS) on Mondays from 7-9 p.m., Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-4:45 p.m. and Eskrima on Wednesday from 4-4:45 p.m.

Campus Police also offers various safety programs. For more information, visit www.apsu.edu/police/prevention.aspx.

Biles said the Campus Police are going to put up links on the Web site for tips and information about their classes and seminars on safety offered.

“Don’t fall under the ‘it-can’t-happen-to-me’ syndrome. Crime can and does happen on campus. Be aware of your surroundings,” Biles said.

For more information on staying safe on campus visit the campus police Web site for tips and classes offered.
If on campus and there is an emergency call 911 or use the blue light phones. To report any strange behavior call campus police at 221-7786.

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