Despite Radio Broadcast, No Pervert in a Blue Raincoat on Loose at Mall

Shoppers at Jordan Creek Town Center, Iowa’s largest retail shopping mall, may have been alarmed Thursday by radio broadcasts of “a pervert in a blue raincoat running away” and then urging, “Let’s get him.”

West Des Moines Police Officer Shawn Miller, who met with mall security officer Jeff Downs, said in his report the bogus broadcast is being investigated as harassment, but may also be in violation of Federal Communications Commission rules.

According to the report, the mall has 34 handheld radios used by security, housekeeping and management and broadcasts are made on three frequencies.

The agency that installs and programs the radios said tracking down the perpetrator may be difficult if the individual had left the property, according to the report, but if not, it could be relatively easy to locate the responsible person.

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