MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan made a stop Wednesday morning at the University of Minnesota to highlight public safety initiatives on campus.
This comes as students and families express concern about a spike in crime near campus recently.
While on campus, Walz and Flanagan joined University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel and University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) leadership to discuss new safety efforts.
U of M leadership says MPD will provide more patrols this fall in neighborhoods near campus, especially on the weekend. They're also working on an agreement with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to have two deputies in the area seven nights a week.
"The U of M is also hiring additional community safety officers, expanding the Gopher Chauffer program, and adding additional street lighting and cameras," according to a news release.
"As students head back to campus, we want them focused on having fun and getting the best possible education, not concern for their personal safety," said Governor Walz in the news release. "By creating partnerships with the University and the State Patrol, we can better keep our students, parents, and faculty safe."
As for special events, like football games, the U of M and Minneapolis Police will partner again to keep students safe. The U of M stopped its special events partnership with MPD after George Floyd's murder.
These plans come as UMPD and MPD face staffing shortages.
During the first week of school, the Minnesota State Patrol has agreed to provide more troopers on campus through Friday from 4 p.m. until midnight.
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