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Thursday, August 29, 2024
Ohio State PD relaunches Joint Patrol Program
Joint Patrol Program with CPD to offer more resources to off-campus students By Bailey Johnston Lantern Reporter
T
he Ohio State University Police Department — or OSUPD — has relaunched its Joint Patrol Program with the Columbus Division of Police — also known as CPD — to improve safety and resources for students livLQJ R̆ FDPSXV Dan Hedman, a university spokesperson, said the expansion adds four new cruisers to the Joint Patrol unit, allowing for more police presence in the areas surrounding campus. “Joint Patrol is a partnership which SDLUV ṘFHUV IURP ERWK 2683' DQG &3' DQG IRFXVHV RQ WKH R̆ FDPSXV area known as the University District,” Hedman said in an email.
According to the Ohio State Department of Public Safety website, the program — which was reinstated in 2022 after its suspension following the UHWLUHPHQW RI LWV RQO\ 2683' ṘFHU ² LQLWLDOO\ DGGHG WKUHH 2683' Ṙcers and a partnership with CPD. Now, +HGPDQ VDLG WKHUH DUH HLJKW ṘFHUV total. “The program adds additional patrols in the neighborhood with four 2683' DQG IRXU &3' ṘFHUV ULGLQJ together in pairs, four nights a week,” Hedman said. 2683' ṘFHU Thomas Schneider said the
program’s expansion was possible beFDXVH RI WKH JURZWK LQ 2683'¶V VWD̆ing since 2018. Hedman agreed. “Since 2018, they’ve gone from 56 sworn police to an authorized strength of 75,” Hedman said. “So, as you add PRUH ṘFHUV \RX¶UH DEOH WR WKHQ DGG DGGLWLRQDO UHVRXUFHV LQ WKH R̆ FDPSXV area too.” Schneider said providing these services to the University
District is a key focus for this program, especially since there has been an increase in students moving to the area throughout recent years. “This year, there is an epic number of students [moving] to campus,” Schneider said. “More and more of our VWXGHQWV DUH OLYLQJ R̆ FDPSXV ZKHWKHU LW¶V ¿UVW \HDUV RU ODWHU DQG ZH¶UH looking to better serve them.”
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