UT Board of Regents approves new funding for West Campus safety
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved new funding for public safety and security measures in the West Campus area of UT Austin.
In a letter, UT President Gregory Fenves announced the approval, saying it will include hiring 11 additional UT police officers and two additional police sergeants and investments in cameras and other technology solutions, vehicles and equipment.
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The letter says the decision is because of a recent increase in violent crime in Austin. "Thousands of UT students live and congregate in West Campus, and many students and employees travel through the area to get to class and work," Fenves said in the letter. "I am grateful for Chairman Kevin Eltife and the Board of Regents’ support for enhancing UT’s safety and security in this neighborhood next to our campus."
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UTPD Chief David Carter took to Twitter to address the funding, saying UTPD will "be further enhancing our off campus patrols while continuing to work collaboratively with our Austin police and Texas DPS friends to do our part in keeping our entire UT Austin community safe."
READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW:
Today, the UT System Board of Regents approved new funding for public safety and security measures at UT Austin, focused on the West Campus area adjacent to our campus. This will include the hiring of 11 additional UT police officers and two additional police sergeants, as well as investments in cameras and other technology solutions, vehicles and equipment.
We are taking these actions because there has been an uptick in violent crime in Austin during recent months. Thousands of UT students live and congregate in West Campus, and many students and employees travel through the area to get to class and work. I am grateful for Chairman Kevin Eltife and the Board of Regents’ support for enhancing UT’s safety and security in this neighborhood next to our campus.
The university has been working closely with the Austin Police Department to coordinate our efforts. APD has been a good partner, as has the Texas Department of Public Safety, in monitoring safety and adjusting policing. We look forward to continued collaboration with both police forces as we make security improvements for our university community.
Sincerely,
Gregory L. Fenves
President