DALLAS — A national Black sorority is urging alumnae in the Dallas area to make changes from putting away their key chains to refraining from wearing clothing linking them to the group after several rapes that appeared to target members.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. issued the warning this week after being notified by authorities of a series of four sexual assaults in communities north of Dallas. Law enforcement officials say the victims are all Black women in their mid-50s to mid-60s and are associated with the same sorority alumnae group.
“We believe it’s more than just accidental,” said Coppell police Deputy Chief Matthew Kosec.
Law enforcement officials say that, during the assaults in the victims’ homes, the suspect indicated he knew information about them.
“Since receiving news of these incidents, our primary concern has been the safety of our members,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler McIntyre, national president of the sorority, in a statement.
She said that, while it has not been confirmed that the victims were targeted “because of their affiliation with the sorority, we are erring on the side of caution and are advising our members in the Dallas area to take the necessary precautionary measures.”
In its statement, the sorority said members in the Dallas area should remove items identifying them as sorority alumna from their cars, key chains, homes and offices. They should also stop wearing any clothing or accessories that identify them as members in addition to removing personal information like their whereabouts from social media accounts and make sure their homes are locked and secured.
