COLUMBUS – Amid concerns about continuing violence in the campus area, OSU officials are enhancing safety efforts by expanding evening and nighttime off-campus patrols by Columbus police officers during fall and spring semesters, hiring additional university police officers and adding mobile surveillance cameras.
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The increased patrols by Columbus officers within the city’s jurisdiction will be adjusted based on needs and will provide additional visibility throughout the University District, director of public safety Monica Moll said.
“We are committed to working with our city partners, and we talk daily about crime and crime trends. We are confident these increased resources will help Ohio State and our community partners make an impact in our effort to improve safety and security in the campus area,” Moll said.
The university has also authorized the hiring of five additional police officers, bringing the total University Police Department force to75 officers, the purchase of additional mobile surveillance cameras and continued funding of license plate readers and video storage, Moll said.
Safety enhancements that have been introduced over the past two years have led to a decline in crime both on and off campus, Moll said.
The university currently has more than 4,000 surveillance cameras on campus and 63 license plate reader cameras with coverage both on and off campus, Moll said.
Safety officials want added surveillance cameras at all campus parking garages.
The plan also calls for the renewal of Buckeye Block Watch, foot patrols in targeted University District areas by civilian security teams who are taught how to deal with difficult situations, including mental health responses, first aid and CPR.
The Campus Area Bus Service CABS On-Demand service, which provides free transportation between campus buildings after 9:00 p.m., will add stops on the east side of High Street, at University Square and South Campus Gateway.