Friday September 7, 2001

Police look to remind UA of partnership with the community

The UAPD announced its official plans for a new campus safety campaign at a press conference yesterday morning.

Chief Anthony Daykin of the University of Arizona Police Department made public a series of safety improvements the UAPD intends to make by incorporating university and Tucson community member input with police patrolling.

"This campaign is to let people know we're all partners with our community," Daykin said.

Plans for the campaign began over the summer, when the UAPD made the small step of enhancing the design on the side of UAPD's patrol cars.

Police now have "partners with our community" inscribed on the sides of their patrol cars, along with the UAPD Web address for UAPD located on the back bumper.

In addition to this change, Daykin listed a series of actions the UAPD plans to take in order to improve safety on campus.

Police have developed a partnership with Residence Life, assigning UAPD officers as liaisons between all residence halls on campus and the UAPD. Daykin said the partnership was not only a security measure but a chance to communicate with residents in the dorms.

"The liaison officer gives students a chance to ask questions and enable officers to get to know the students personally," he said.

Sharon Overstreet, assistant director for Residence Life, said that although it is too early to examine the results of having a liaison officer in each residence hall, the overall response has been positive.

"With all the events liaison officers participate in while over in the residence halls, we wonder if they might be spending too much time there," Daykin said jokingly.

Daykin said UAPD also formed a partnership with Parking and Transportation Services using the PTS bicycle patrol to spot any trouble that may arise.

PTS is also working with police to better educate pedestrians and bicycle riders on laws that are frequently ignored.

"We're developing a plan to educate bicycle riders and pedestrians on the laws," said PTS director Patrick Kass. "We're also developing new signs for bicyclists."

The Tucson Police Department has always held a partnership with UAPD and is currently aiding it in assuring safety for pedestrians on East Sixth Street, where Daykin said motorists often ignore the speed limit. TPD is also working to remind pedestrians the proper way to cross the busy street. TPD is also loaning UAPD a radar display monitor.

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona are also involved in the campaign. Along with the ASUA Safe Ride program, the Associated Students senate is working with Risk Management to develop a program that would give students a ride home when they are intoxicated and shouldn't be driving.