The University of Texas at Austin Police Department (UTPD) has expanded its patrol operations in the West Campus neighborhood, an area where most undergraduate students reside. This initiative, which began on August 4 ahead of the fall semester, aims to increase law enforcement visibility and coverage through a new West Campus Patrol District staffed by dedicated teams.
“The safety of West Campus remains a top priority for the Board of Regents,” said Board Chairman Kevin Eltife. “We’ve made real improvements over the past three years, but the work continues. We are especially grateful to the officers who will be in West Campus each day to protect the safety of our students.”
UT President Jim Davis highlighted the significance of West Campus as home to many students experiencing city life for the first time. “The West Campus neighborhood is a cross section of Texas and the nation, with 90 percent of our students coming to UT from outside of Travis County,” Davis said. “It is the college home for a majority of our undergraduate students, and for many their first time in a big city environment. We deeply care about our students and their families’ positive experience and safety in the city of Austin. We are grateful for our Board of Regents’ significant and ongoing investment in safety, for the UT Police Department’s commitment to excellence, and for the Austin Police Department’s partnership in prioritizing the safety of our students and families near campus.”
About two dozen UTPD officers now serve permanent shifts based out of a substation at 2400 Nueces St., patrolling on foot, bicycles, and motorized vehicles. These efforts are designed not only to enforce laws but also to foster relationships with residents.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our students, families, employees and visitors,” said UT Police Chief Shane Streepy. “We established an intentional presence off campus in the West Campus neighborhood, and now we are growing that presence to enhance the safe experience for those who live, work and study near UT Austin. Our students will get to know our officers, and they will see us patrolling alongside Austin Police. I am grateful to President Davis for his commitment to safety beyond our campus borders, and to Austin Police Chief Davis for her partnership in keeping our community safe.”
The new district extends UTPD’s patrol boundary westward from Rio Grande Street out to North Lamar Boulevard.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year allows UTPD and Austin Police Department (APD) officers assigned to West Campus not only to collaborate on calls but also participate in cross-training sessions tailored toward both university-specific policing needs and broader urban law enforcement.
“The Austin Police Department is excited to continue our partnership with The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, focusing on the West Campus Patrol District,” said APD Chief Lisa Davis. “This collaboration will enhance both agencies’ access to facilities in a timely manner, allow us to assist each other with calls, and provide cross-training opportunities — all of which are critical during a crisis. Addressing crime and keeping our community safe is a joint effort, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
In recent years more than $13 million has been invested by UT System Board of Regents into various security measures across West Campus such as increased patrols; improved lighting; installation of HALO cameras; as well as launching programs like UT’s West Campus Ambassadors—a team focused on specialized safety tasks working closely with local businesses.
UT offers additional services including SURE Walk—providing walks or rides between campus locations—and Night Rides via Lyft from several university sites back home. The department also operates LiveSafe: a free mobile app connecting users directly with police dispatchers via text message while offering features like panic alarms or virtual escorts using personal contacts.
