13 WTHR IndianapolisIU students taking security into their own hands

IU students taking security into their own hands

BLOOMINGTON - Some Indiana University students are taking their personal safety into their own hands, investing in things like mace, pepper spray and stun guns. Co-eds say it's in response to the disappearance of IU student Lauren Spierer.

There's a difference on the Bloomington campus since the spring, a change that students see and hear.

"The freshman have been getting an earful about the whole Lauren thing," said IU sophomore Stephanie Ralston.

"We've heard never be alone. At least be with three people," said IU freshman Katelyn Baker.

"We're just a little bit more careful now," added sophomore Megan Hantz. "They're telling us this should be a warning for us."

The disappearance of Lauren Spierer in early June has raised student concern about safety and affected behaviors all across Bloomington. Her face is everywhere, on signs all across campus. It will become even more prominent, when her parents distribute new posters this weekend.

For the past two weeks, police have been searching a Vigo County landfill for potential evidence in the Spierer case. They offered no update on the investigation Friday.

Back on campus, the University has been holding sessions about student safety and making smart decisions. Personal protection, though, is going even farther for some.

Jim Graham, the owner of Bloomington Home Personal Security Store, says business has gone up 50 percent since Lauren disappeared.

"Twice as much foot traffic in the store because of that," Graham said. "Customers may not mention her name specifically, but they will say, 'You know, the recent event'."

Mace, pepper spray, even stun guns are flying off the shelves and into the hands of students.

"People obviously have developed a concern to find a way to protect themselves. We're noticing parents coming in with their kids, saying, 'You're going to carry this. You're going to carry this and have this,' and that sort of thing," Graham said.

Pepper spray is the number one item requested and the top seller in stun guns at the Bloomington store is obviously marketed toward females. It's a pink model that can fit in a purse, with a wrist strap, that carries five million volts and sells for $60. The weapons are legal to carry in Indiana, and are meant to fend off a potential attacker

But they aren't for everyone.

"My mom wanted to get me pepper spray, but ended up not, because I just think it's fine walking around as long as I'm in a group," Baker said.

But a new awareness is obvious around campus - students improving security, as one of their own remains missing.