Officials with the Ohio State University (OSU) announced on Friday the launch of a new program in order to limit crime in the area.
Buckeye Block Watch will provide patrols in the neighborhood around the campus on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
According to the university, the members of the patrol will continuously canvas the region on foot and bikes. However, the members of the patrol “are not sworn law enforcement officers, and will not have arrest powers or carry firearms.”
“This initiative encourages residents to play a role in getting to know one another and look out for each other. Buckeye Block Watch reinforces that the University District is our neighborhood, a place where we take care of each other and are together as a community,” said OSU President Kristina Johnson.
The additional security measures are a portion of a broad effort by the university to address the spike in crime around the campus, including a bomb threat on the campus on Saturday.
“Parents for a Safe OSU” organized a public campaign, including purchasing messages on multiple billboards, to bring the concerns to the attention of the university’s administration.
In response, the university announced that added security actions will provide $20 million over the next 10 years to improve safety for students on and around the university’s campus.
However, some students are unsure of the effectiveness of the new program.
According to WSYX, a carjacking in the area occurred on Friday night, leaving some students feeling unsafe despite the patrols.
“I’m from a small town, there’s not much crime and then coming to college, I chose to come to Ohio State because it felt like home even though it wasn’t anywhere near home, and I feel like I should feel safe on campus but when there’s crime constantly happening, I don’t feel safe on campus,” OSU sophomore Sophia Miller told the news station.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “OSU aerial view” by The Ohio State University.
