Residents more cautious after intruder, assault

Students are looking over their shoulders days after a woman was attacked outside a residence hall, taking steps to ensure they won't be next. \n"I am more cautious now," said sophomore Adrienne White, a resident of Wright Quad.\nLast Thursday, a female said a man attacked her in Wright's courtyard, according to the IU Police Department. The woman was eventually able to fight the man off. Earlier, a man was reported entering Wright dorm rooms and spying on female residents.\nMost of the female residents living in the central neighborhood are being more cautious and paying more attention to their surroundings. Wright residents are locking their doors and double-checking the lock before they go to sleep at night. \n"I didn't pay much attention to the door before, but now I make sure to lock it," said freshman Staci Moody.\nMoody also said she won't walk alone after dark.\n"Before I thought I would be alright, but now I walk with someone and carry a cell phone and have it ready just in case," said Moody.\nThe safety escort service is another option for students looking for a safe way back to the dorms. The escort service runs Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday through Saturday 8p.m. to midnight. Any student can reach this service by dialing 855-SAFE. \nAlthough IUPD has stepped up security patrols, students are taking personal steps to ensure their safety. They're noticing who's entering the building, and taking a friend whenever they leave the dorms after dark. \n"If the door is propped open I close it," said freshman Gayle Hughes, who lives in Teter Quad. "Before if someone asked for a key to get in, I let them, now I don't let them in, they should bring their own key."\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said people have invaded dorm rooms in the past. In Briscoe Quad, one male took advantage of the unlocked doors to stand over the sleeping females wearing a Scream Mask and would leave after the female woke up. In another incident, Minger said a male would enter an unlocked room of a sleeping female and touch her. When she woke up, he would claim that he thought he was in his girlfriend's room, apologize and leave. \nThe intruder is a college-aged male, between 5-feet, 6-inches and 5-feet, 8-inches tall, Minger said. He has a medium slender build and short black hair usually gelled forward. If you have any information on the recent assault or the intruder please call IUPD, 855-4111.