We, the undersigned students at the University of Iowa, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and concerned citizens, demand and deserve to live on a safe and secure campus.
 
On June 5, the University of Iowa Student Government introduced a petition asking the University to remove security personnel from the university campus. This request is not only counterproductive to the goal of improving community relationships with law enforcement, but it also puts our community at risk.
 
·       In 2019, 590 individuals were arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
 
·       In 2018, there were 1,253 incidents reported on campus and in campus neighborhoods, and nearly 17% were considered major crimes.
 
·       According to the University of Iowa’s Rape Victim Advocacy Program website, 1 in 5 women, 1 in 14 men, and 1 in 4 transgender students experience sexual assault during their time on campus.
 
Addressing these issues, and the many other injustices that occur all too often, means taking advantage of all available resources to ensure the University of Iowa community remains safe and victims receive justice.
 
By signing this petition, you believe that campus safety is a priority and that the University should work with local law enforcement to help design leading reforms that protect the University of Iowa community, rather than removing the presence of security personnel and creating an unsafe campus environment.