Ohio State News Alert: Police investigating recent crimes in campus area
University working to accelerate installation of additional cameras, including in parking garages
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The Ohio State University |
The Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson said that police are investigating crimes on and off campus that prompted recent safety notices – and that further enhancements to existing safety tools and resources are being expedited.
“We are working to accelerate the installation of additional cameras on and off campus, including in parking garages,” Johnson said in a Health, Safety and Well-being Update video.
“The enhancements we put in place since the start of autumn semester also remain. That includes additional cameras and lighting in the University District and personal safety devices offered for free by the Office of Student Life.”
Johnson also said that the Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) continues to add to its staffing in response to a recommendation from the university’s Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being. OSUPD has sworn in five new officers to serve the Columbus campus in 2022. In the last five years, Ohio State has increased campus police staffing from 54 to 64 and is actively recruiting additional officers. Law enforcement is supplemented by non-sworn security, Campus Service Officers and Buckeye Block Watch.
The university community is also encouraged to use available resources to travel on and off campus. This includes CABS On-Demand, which expands the benefits of the standard free CABS bus service to a wider part of the Columbus campus, including during overnight hours. For off-campus nighttime travel, Lyft Ride Smart is available.
Another safety tool offered by the university is Rave Guardian, a safety app that allows users to choose specific friends or family to follow them home via GPS tracking. A full list of on- and off-campus safety resources is available on the Ohio State Department of Public Safety website.
“Ohio State and the city of Columbus are not immune to the increase in crime that has impacted major cities across the U.S.,” Johnson said. “We will continue to do all that we can to enhance safety, yet we all need to be aware that our campus is in a large, urban area. So please, take advantage of our resources and be alert about your surroundings as you travel on and off campus.”
As always, community members should call 911 in the case of an emergency or if someone is in need of help. To report suspicious activity that is not an emergency while on campus, call the OSUPD non-emergency line at 614-292-2121.
