AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas at Austin students will notice more police on campus beginning Tuesday.
It's due to an expanded partnership between UTPD and the Austin Police Department. This expansion was finalized on Aug. 4, ahead of the fall semester, UTPD said.
"UT police officers, in coordination with assigned officers from the Austin Police Department, will increase law enforcement visibility and coverage to improve safety," UTPD said.
There will be about two dozen UTPD officers who will have the West Campus neighborhood as their designated area for patrols, permanently. Before, there were less officers, who were patrolling all of UT's campus, according to UTPD.
"They patrol the neighborhood on foot, bicycles and in a variety of motorized vehicles to maximize public accessibility and mobility," UTPD said. "Their regular patrols will allow them to get to know UT students who live there and to work in partnership with APD to enforce laws and act as a deterrent to those who intend to break them."
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UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey). -
UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey). -
UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey). -
UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey). -
UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey). -
UTPD increases campus patrols on foot, squad units, four-wheelers, bikes and motorcycles. (KXAN photos/Todd Bailey).
According to UT President Jim Davis, 90% of UT's students come from outside of Travis County. He said many are in a big city environment for the first time during undergrad.
UTPD has also extended its patrol area in addition to more frequent patrols. Officers will now cover ground outside of UT's campus to North Lamar Boulevard, according to UTPD. That boundary was previously only six blocks west of campus at Rio Grande Street.
"With the creation of the new district and authorized by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February, UTPD and APD officers who patrol West Campus will cross-train, allowing officers from both law enforcement agencies to be educated on the nuances of policing in both a University and traditional urban environment," UTPD said.
This story will be updated by Reporter Jala Washington.
