Two new emergency call towers are active on the north side of Franklin Boulevard in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts campus area, making the area safer for students and staff. The installations were the result of safety planning between the UO Department of Public Safety, AAA and the office of the Vice President of Finance and Administration.

Read the article in the Oregon Daily Emerald: http://dailyemerald.com/2012/05/14/millrace-studios-get-a-safety-upgrade/

A Lane County Circuit Court Judge found Max Aaron Chase, 20, from Eugene, guilty on a single count of Criminal Mischief on the University of Oregon campus that occurred on July 24, 2010. Chase was sentenced on May 3 to two years of probation, community service, and more than $5,000 in restitution.

With the public's assistance investigators learned of Chase's involvement in the incident more than one year after a UO Department of Public Safety (UODPS) vehicle was significantly vandalized. Chase was subsequently arrested on January 4, 2012. Ultimately a Circuit Court Judge determined that Chase was solely responsible for smashing the front windshield, rearview mirror and damaging the passenger door of the public safety vehicle.

An article on the sentencing in the Oregon Daily Emerald: http://dailyemerald.com/2012/05/03/student-vandalized-dps-patrol-car-in-2010-found-guilty/

For students at the University of Oregon, spring term finals are still weeks away.

But three officers with the UO Department of Public Safety have already aced their big tests by successfully passing the Police Career Officer Development test on April 17, completing their certification as Oregon police officers.

Acting In-Charge Director/Chief Carolyn McDermed, Lieutenant Mike Morrow, and Lieutenant Brandon Lebrecht had all been previously commissioned, and by passing the five-hour test of relevant laws, rules and police practices, all are certified police.

The Police Career Officer Development course is a grueling, 80-hour refresher for those who have not acted as certified police for between two-and-a-half and five years (but have previously successfully completed the basic police academy training).

Already certified is Lieutenant Andy Bechdolt, commissioned and sworn with UODPS in January, but who had recently served as a certified officer with the Lane County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

Chief Doug Tripp is currently attending the police academy in Salem, and on his return to the department in June, will make five UODPS officers who are state-certified as police.

Two more commissioned UODPS sergeants started police academy training on April 23, and will complete their course for certification in August. The department is in the middle of hiring a new Safe Campus Team Police Captain, which will likely add another certified police officer to the ranks. By the beginning of the 2012-13 academic year, UODPS expects to have eight or more certified police officers on staff.

Since April 11, there have been at least 15 thefts of student property from the UO Student Recreation Center. Most if not all have occurred when students have left valuables like cell phones, music players, smart phones, tablets, keys and backpacks in unsecured spots.

All year long, and increasingly this spring, SRC staff have put up signs to warn students to secure their property while working out; staff have also been verbally warning students about the risks, all to little avail.  

Combination locks are available from the front desk for free use during SRC visits, or students are encouraged to bring their own locks for the lockers. Valuables should not be left in unlocked lockers, cubbies or on the floor or steps near the workout room, courts or pools.

http://dailyemerald.com/2012/04/19/gang-activity-concern-grows-in-eugene-community/