UK increasing campus safety after recent nearby shooting

UK Police to increase patrols and add lighting as part of enhanced campus safety efforts

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The University of Kentucky is stepping up safety measures on campus following a shooting incident near the area last weekend.

Starting Friday, the UK Police Department is implementing several changes, including increased patrols, enhanced lighting, and tighter access to parking garages.

“Starting today, you’re going to see an increase in the number of police officers from UK that will be patrolling these areas late at night,” said UK Police Chief Joe Monroe.

The increased patrols will focus on North Campus between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Chief Monroe also mentioned that temporary lighting would be added to specific areas.

“We also will be installing today, temporary lighting, along Winslow and Upper streets. These will be large-style generator lights, that will really increase the lighting to those areas,” said Monroe.

UK Police have also noted criminal activity at parking garages, particularly the Cornerstone Garage and the Good Samaritan Hospital Garage.

“We’ll be limiting the access to these garages and parking lots,” Monroe said. “We will be limiting that to those that have permits or coming to events on campus, those type of things. We’ll be putting extra security guards in those areas, as well as, longer term we’re looking at license plate readers, for recognition of license plates that will be coming in and out of these lots and garages,” said Monroe.

The department also plans to increase the number of cameras and blue emergency towers around campus to further enhance safety.