City, University Police Urge Citizens to Take Extra Caution after Incidents

City, University Police Urge Richmond Citizens to Take Extra Caution after Incidents

After multiple incidents in Richmond, Kentucky, both Richmond and Eastern Kentucky University police are urging area residents to take extra caution. The warnings follow the death of a missing woman, Amanda Bailey, the ongoing search for another woman, Savannah Spurlock, and a reported sexual assault near EKU’s campus.

After multiple incidents in Richmond, Kentucky, both Richmond and Eastern Kentucky University police are urging area residents to take extra caution. The warnings follow the death of a missing woman, Amanda Bailey, the ongoing search for another woman, Savannah Spurlock, and a reported sexual assault near EKU’s campus.

“If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right,” said Richmond Assistant Chief of Police Rodney Richardson. “Walk in pairs, update someone when going from point A to point B, let them know a designated time you will be back. Do what you think is best to insure your personal safety.”

Richardson reminded citizens to make sure that any protection they carry—like pepper spray or a stun gun—is not a deadly weapon they’re carrying without a license.

“There are a lot of different things you can do to protect yourself, but as long as it is not considered a deadly weapon, then you are good,” Richardson said.

The Richmond Register reported that Kentucky Penal Code KRS 500.80 defines weapons as “deadly” using the following criteria: “A weapon of mass destruction, any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife, billy, nightstick, or club, blackjack or slapjack, nunchaku karate sticks or death star; or artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material.”

Richardson said residents interested in taking self-defense classes can contact the Richmond Police Department.

According to Richardson, RPD has no reports or evidence pointing to relation of the Spurlock and Bailey cases, or the reported assault incident.

Spurlock, who is from Richmond, went missing in January after a night out in Lexington, and the department is continuing to search for her.

“We have not stopped looking for Savannah. We are asking anyone in the Garrard County area who may have seen something or know anything to call us or come forward,” he said.

Eastern Kentucky University Police are also urging students and faculty to be extra cautious following a sexual assault reported by a “non-EKU affiliated” male. The male reported that he was assaulted by a man he did not know on EKU property.

EKU police continue to investigate. As of Monday afternoon, EKU Chief External Affairs Officer Kristi Middleton stated that the campus police have “no new information to release.”

The university emailed students and faculty to warn them to avoid shortcuts, walk in groups, share their scheduled plans with friends and stick to well-lit areas of campus when walking at night.

“If someone sees something suspicious, they need to report it to the police,” Richardson said. “Right now, we have no other reports or evidence of any other missing persons, and there are no reports that suggest a connection with any of the cases.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.