Downtown Des Moines skywalk security group claims they’re understaffed
DES MOINES, Iowa October 18 2019
The head of a Des Moines security group that patrols the skywalk system said conditions have become so dangerous, he my pull out his officers.
Des Moines police said a group of about 20 teenage boys attacked a young couple Saturday in the Des Moines Skywalk outside the Wellmark YMCA.
Authorities said a 21-year-old man received numerous bruises and cuts from being kicked and beaten. The teens left the man’s 19-year-old girlfriend alone.
Tom Conley, with The Conley Group, said it was disheartening to learn that a group of teens attacked the couple. His officers have patrolled the roughly 4.5-mile system for the past 17 years.
“It’s very disheartening and very upsetting, but unfortunately, it doesn’t surprise me,” Conley said.
Conley said violence continues to get worse downtown, even against his officers.
“We’ve had almost 100 hours of lost time and injuries,” Conley said.
According to Conley, the same group of 20 to 30 teens cause trouble for the public and his staff and that the group is too large for two unarmed officers to handle.
“They’ll get in these mobs,” he said. “We’ve seen them knock older people over before, harass people in scooters (and) throw food over other people.”
In contrast, Des Monies police said violence in the skywalk is an uncommon occurrence and that large, reckless groups of teens are a downtownwide issue they are trying to help solve.
“Violent crime in the skywalk is very rare. It’s actually a safe place,” Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said. “The crime you typically encounter there is something of a transient nature, something disruptive, someone hanging out and playing music.”
Conley said his contract with the Skywalk Association ends at the end of 2019 and that he plans to ask for better staffing and armed patrols.
He said discussions with, Cheryl Moore, head of the Skywalk Association, have not been productive.
“She said, quote, ‘There will be no guns on the sidewalk,’ end of quote,” Conley said.
Conley said he may let another company handle security in the skywalks when his contract expires.
“It’s simply not safe for our officers,” he said.
KCCI’s Chris Gothner called and emailed Moore for comment on the skywalk assault but did not receive a response.
