EMU Making Good On Its Promise To Increase Patrols Near Campus

YPSILANTI, Mich. (WWJ) - On the heels of two off-campus murders, Eastern Michigan University is making good on its promise to increase patrols near the school. EMU has announced plans to hire ten more officers by September 2014 to expand patrols beyond campus boundaries.

In addition to the new hires, the university says two current police officers will be promoted to sergeant to assist in supervising the additional officers.

"These additional officers will provide a crucial new dimension to our policing efforts," EMU Chief of Police Robert Heighes said. "We will maintain the highly effective and extensive safety operations we have in place on Eastern's campus, while greatly increasing our off-campus efforts."

Supporters tell the Free Press that expanded patrols help keep an eye on students who break the law off-campus and help relieve overburdened police departments in those neighboring communities.