Police are warning college students from Asia that they are being targeted by street thugs in Chicago, reports the Gazette.
Strong arm robbers near the Illinois Institute of Technology and Illinois College of Optometry hit at least seven students in a two week period from November 22 through December 5.
The primary targets are Asian students walking alone after class. Police believe the perpetrators are from the nearby Dunbar Vocational Career Academy.
“The easiest way to prevent robberies? Do not make yourselves victims,” Sgt. Michael Cooney said.
- Be aware of your surroundings, not your cell phone.
- Walk in the middle of the street
- Report suspicious activity
- If robbed, get names and contact information from victims
- Stay at the scene until police arrive
Community safety meetings are planned for 6:30 p.m. Mon. Feb. 9 at the Illinois College of Optometry, 3240 S. Indiana Ave., and at 7 p.m. Wed. Feb. 18 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. 26th St., Calvin said.
(photo: “Chicago police officer on segway” by Brett Gustafson. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicago_police_officer_on_segway.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Chicago_police_officer_on_segway.jpg)
