Security measures visible for new UNR school year

KRNV-TV --- Thousands of students returned to the University of Nevada campus Monday for the first day of fall classes. Along with those students were 24 patrol officers and plans for increased security measures.

The student body was on edge for most of the spring semester after the kidnapping and murder of 19-year old Brianna Denison from a home near campus.

The UNR police force says they're taking extra steps to make sure that students are safe.

There are 25 blue emergency phones around campus and 72 additional phones in campus parking garages. A push of a button will bring a police officer to the site within two minutes.

In September, the University will institute a text message alert system. Students will soon be invited to register their cell phone numbers to receive campus emergency alerts.

The university says its biggest line of defense is a force of 24 police officers.

"We are really encouraging and sending the message to our officers we want them on campus, more visible, walking through high traffic areas," Commander Todd Renwick of the UNR Police said.

Students say they notice the police presence.

"I do feel safe I see them everywhere on campus," one student said.

"I think there are a lot more cops that I've seen on campus," said another.

The police department will soon increase that force with eight new part-time reserve officers who graduated from the police academy on Monday.

Students and parents say they feel good about the security measures on campus, but some are worried about what happens when students enter the surrounding neighborhoods.

Student Leslie Berberic lives off campus. She says most UNR students spend time off campus.

"I think it would help safety a lot more to patrol a few blocks around (campus)," she said.

Two long-time UNR officers, who did not want to be identified, agree with Berberic. They said they get phone calls from at least two parents a day asking why the campus police aren't patrolling the surrounding neighborhoods.

UNR Police leadership say it's not that the areas around campus aren't important to student safety, it's just not their main focus.

The Reno Police Department is in charge of patrolling the neighborhoods around campus. Commander John Catalano says the Reno Police Department said they are taking extra precautions now that students are back on campus. The department has added four more officers to the area.

The UNR Police Department does have an agreement with the Reno and Sparks Police Departments and the Washoe County Sheriff's office that allows UNR officers to assist with neighborhood patrols. Two UNR officers said, however, the UNR Police Chief discourages them from making proactive patrols.