TAMPA, Fla. — As thousands of students return to the University of South Florida for the new school year, campus police say they are putting a renewed emphasis on safety.
The increased focus comes months after two USF graduate students were killed at an off-campus apartment in April.
As students moved back to campus last week, police at USF highlighted new ways for students to connect with officers, access self-defense training and receive emergency information.
The USF Police Department moved into the Marshall Center over the summer, using space on the first floor to bring crime prevention programs and officers closer to students.
Chief Chris Daniel said the department is working to increase its visibility across campus and create more opportunities for in-person interactions with students.
“We’re trying to be more visible in the public areas, the eateries and stuff on campus,” Daniel said. “So really, it’s that face-to-face interaction between the officers and the students that makes the difference.”
The department also plans to offer its Defend Yourself self-defense program in the Marshall Center, making it easier for students to find information about the program and sign up.
USF police are also encouraging students to use the USF Safe app, which provides crime prevention and emergency information. Students are also urged to sign up for USF Alert, which sends push notifications about on-campus emergencies and public safety threats.
Police officials say the safety programs and resources were a major focus during student orientation, as thousands of students prepared to return to campus.
USF is also creating a new Safety Advisory Council to bring together the university’s various groups that work on campus safety.
Daniel said the council will take a broader approach to campus safety and help connect smaller groups across the university. The goal is to improve communication and increase awareness of public safety issues that could affect the wider campus community.
With more than 100,000 people coming and going from USF’s campus each day, police say increasing visibility and communication will be key parts of the department’s efforts to keep students, faculty and visitors safe.