UT Police Department announced the creation of the West Campus Patrol District at a Tuesday press briefing. As part of the initiative, UTPD officers will coordinate with Austin Police Department officers to expand patrols and improve safety in West Campus.
The expansion took effect on Aug. 4, extending the western border of UTPD’s patrol area to North Lamar Boulevard, according to a University news release. The patrol area previously ended at Rio Grande Street. Officers will be based out of the UTPD West Campus substation that moved to 2400 Nueces last year, according to the news release.
In recent years, UT and the UT System Board of Regents invested more than $13 million in West Campus safety measures, such as the establishment of UT’s West Campus Ambassadors program, according to the news release.
“The safety of West Campus remains a top priority for the Board of Regents,” said Board Chairman Kevin Eltife in the news release. “We’ve made real improvements over the past three years, but the work continues.”
UTPD Chief Shane Streepy said at the press briefing he permanently assigned nearly two dozen UTPD officers to patrol West Campus on foot, bicycles and motorized vehicles.
“Their regular patrols will allow them to get to know UT students, business owners and other stakeholders, and to be problem solvers who educate and serve,” Streepy said at the press briefing.
UT President Jim Davis said at the press briefing 90% of undergraduate students come to UT from somewhere other than Austin.
“West Campus is their temporary home, and, for many, it’s their first time in a major city environment,” Davis said at the press briefing. “This is a special population of Texas whose safety deserves special attention.”
West Campus blends an urban center with the university environment, Streepy said at the press briefing. Officers from UTPD and APD will cross-train as authorized by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February, according to the news release.
“By working together, our agencies will strengthen our ability to access facilities more readily, assist each other’s calls and cross train, all of which are essential during a critical incident,” APD Chief Lisa Davis said at the press briefing.
Streepy said at the press briefing that UTPD and APD will coordinate enforcement strategies, share intelligence and integrate patrols.
“Together, we will work as a force multiplier in West Campus,” Streepy said at the press briefing. “This is not a temporary initiative. It is the future state of public safety in West Campus.”
