UK adds new security measures after recent shootings near campus
The University of Kentucky Police Department has announced additional security measures on campus following an increase in shootings and other safety concerns in the areas around campus, Police Chief Joe Monroe said Friday.
Changes including adding additional police patrols and lighting, and limiting night and weekend access to some campus garages.
Several shootings have been reported near the university this semester, particularly around the north side of campus, which houses several residence halls and main campus buildings.
No shootings have been reported on campus, but UKPD is taking "a more aggressive approach on how we are going to secure our campus boundaries," Monroe said at a news conference Friday morning.
Early Sunday morning, shots were fired at the Raising Canes on South Upper Street, prompting an alert that advised UK students to avoid the area. No injuries were reported.
In September, shots were fired at Winslow Street and South Limestone, prompting a similar alert.
"The safety of our students and employees is our top priority at the University of Kentucky," Monroe said. "The university will invest the necessary resources to ensure safety in this area and is working with partners in the city of Lexington to protect the UK community, both on and off campus, where many students live and work."
UKPD will have an increased police presence on North Campus, with additional officers patrolling the area on bike, foot and vehicle from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Monroe said.
Temporary floodlights will be installed this weekend on Winslow Street, and UKPD is assessing where to install additional permanent lighting, cameras and emergency call towers, which can be used to immediately call police from campus.
The university will also begin limiting access to parking garages and lots on campus and at UK hospitals overnight, including the Cornerstone garage and Good Samaritan Hospital garage. They were previously open to the public on nights and weekends, but that will no longer be the case, Monroe said.
Additionally, the university has partnered with a professional campus security group, Allied Universal, "to enhance security in and around our residence halls across campus."
"We'll continue to evaluate our responses, and we'll adjust accordingly," Monroe said. "This is not going to be tolerated around our campus or on our campus, so we're taking a very aggressive approach to make sure that we keep our campus safe."
In the last year, about a dozen new officers have been added to UKPD, making the additional patrolling possible, Monroe said.
UKPD works closely with the Lexington Police Department, Monroe said.
The area around Limestone Street has been of particular concern to officers over the past 12 to 18 months, he said.
