Associated Press
05-01-07
Security on the agenda for Regents
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Security at Iowa's three public universities is on today's
agenda for the Board of Regents in Iowa City.
While little violent crime is reported at the schools, law enforcement officials say
those numbers aren't relevant in discussing whether to arm campus police.
Campus security became a priority after the April 16th massacre at Virginia Tech.
According to F-B-I crime statistics for 2005, seven forcible rapes, two robberies
and 18 aggravated assaults were reported to police on Iowa's three campuses.
For every ten-thousand students, fewer than five violent crimes are reported at
Iowa State University; four at the University of Iowa; and about one and a-half
at the University of Northern Iowa.
At all three universities, campus police are armed with Tasers, batons, handcuffs
and pepper spray. Some officers can carry firearms under certain circumstances.