Police Increase Patrols Near U Of M After Sexual Assault
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Police said have increased patrols near the University of Minnesota after a woman was sexually assaulted over the weekend.
Authorities said the attack took place early Sunday, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., near 15th and Brooke Avenues Southeast in Minneapolis. That's about a quarter mile from campus.
Police said a 19-year-old woman was walking alone late at night, and U of M police want people to know they don't have to walk alone through this big city campus at night. The female student was walking home alone from a party when she was approached by three men.
Two of the men held her, while one raped her. Police said they are seeing an increase in their escort services as a result and want students to know it's available anywhere on campus. There's also Gopher Chauffer, a service that offers rides to students in an around campus near bars and restaurants Friday and Saturday nights.
"It's available late nights, Friday and Saturday nights. It runs from 10 at night and if they get a call before two in the morning they'll pick them up no matter how late they run," said Dave Golden with the University of Minnesota. "The drivers, the navigators, the dispatchers are all trained. Students are in positions that staff it, and right now we're running three vehicles. We're going to four vehicles in just a few weeks."
Those are a few resources available to avoid a terrible situation like what happened this weekend.
"She's a fighter, she's a fighter. She did everything that she could to get away and was successful and at that point, the three assailants fled and she was able to locate a group of people and call police," said Minneapolis Police Chief Cyndi Barrington.
There is no very detailed description for the men involved. Police said the best way to avoid situations like this is strength in numbers.
And students are reminded that the weekend services to keep students safe are free. They are included in their student fees. Police want students to get familiar with the number (612) 624-WALK to get an escort day or night.
