A Casey's convenience store on the south side of Iowa City has "paused" its practice of having an armed security guard on-site after some neighbors and community activists questioned the message that sent.
Casey's Communications Director Katie Petru told the Press-Citizen in an email Thursday that the company "paused the service at this store, and are evaluating the need and future plan for when/how security support is needed."
Casey's did not provide a reason for the change or details for how it would make future decisions.
Casey's, based in Ankeny, has security in only a couple dozen of its more than 2,200 stores across 16 states.
Over the past month, Iowa City South District residents have been questioning why Casey's felt the need to have a security guard in a neighborhood with a higher Black population compared to other locations where there are reportedly no guards.
It was an issue raised at meetings of the Iowa Freedom Riders, an opinion piece published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, and numerous social media posts from activists and residents.
Catherine Hitchcock, a resident of the South District, told the Press-Citizen she feels the decision to have the armed guard at the Casey's near her home was discriminatory.
There are three Casey's locations in Iowa City. In addition to the Casey's on Broadway Street in the South District, another is located on North Dubuque Street near downtown and a third on Willow Creek Court in southeast Iowa City. A Casey's spokesperson did not say whether Iowa City's other two locations have armed security.
Casey's Communications Director Katie Petru told the Press-Citizen in an email Thursday that the company "paused the service at this store, and are evaluating the need and future plan for when/how security support is needed."
Casey's did not provide a reason for the change or details for how it would make future decisions.
Casey's, based in Ankeny, has security in only a couple dozen of its more than 2,200 stores across 16 states.
Over the past month, Iowa City South District residents have been questioning why Casey's felt the need to have a security guard in a neighborhood with a higher Black population compared to other locations where there are reportedly no guards.
It was an issue raised at meetings of the Iowa Freedom Riders, an opinion piece published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, and numerous social media posts from activists and residents.
Catherine Hitchcock, a resident of the South District, told the Press-Citizen she feels the decision to have the armed guard at the Casey's near her home was discriminatory.
There are three Casey's locations in Iowa City. In addition to the Casey's on Broadway Street in the South District, another is located on North Dubuque Street near downtown and a third on Willow Creek Court in southeast Iowa City. A Casey's spokesperson did not say whether Iowa City's other two locations have armed security.
Casey's reconsiders security guard at Iowa City store after neighbors push back
The South District location had an armed security since 2018, with neighbors wondering what message that sent. Casey's has "paused" that decision.
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