INDIANAPOLIS — Two armed robberies near the IUPUI campus in the last three days prompted school officials to send out a text alert to students and staff when the robberies happened.
While none of the incidents were on campus, the incidents are prompting some to wonder if enough is being done to keep students safe.
At 4:25 p.m. Friday, students were notified by text message and email that an armed robbery occurred in the 900 block of Martin Luther King Street. The message told students to trust their instincts and take safe shelter.
Elizabeth Bueckers, a student, said she is sometimes desensitized to the alerts.
"I guess I really don't pay that much attention to them," Bueckers said. "It's usually not where we live by the tower. I really don't look at them. They pop up and I'm just like, 'OK.'"
By 4:50 p.m. Friday, another alert went out saying the threat is no longer imminent Then on Sunday at 9:21 a.m. another alert, this time for an armed robbery at the Taco Bell at 10th Street and Indiana Avenue.
Brothers Kishan and Kartik Patel said they try to avoid the area whenever they get one of the alerts.
"If I can I just try to stay in my dorm or maybe stay on campus," Kartik Patel said. "There is campus police too. That's why I feel safe."
Another student, Christian Cabrera, said he remains on guard.
"At some point maybe it could happen on campus," Cabrera said. "But as for now as long as they stay outside I do feel reassured."
The IUPUI police department public information officer said the department encourages members of the community to be aware of their surroundings, be vigilant and use the Safewalk program. The Safewalk program is available 24 hours a day and an IUPUI police officer will escort someone wherever they want to go on campus. The program is available by calling 317-274-7233.
