The Campus Safety Task Force released its recommendations on ways to keep Atlanta-area college and university campuses safe on Monday.ATLANTA -
The Campus Safety Task Force released its recommendations on ways to keep Atlanta-area college and university campuses safe on Monday.
The task force issued a 15-point plan that they hope will be implemented in the coming years.
Some of the recommendations suggested by the task force included better lighting, more updates to parents, sync up Crime Stoppers and the See Something, Say Something programs, add campus officials to code enforcement updates, conduct semi-annual safety audits, and ask lawmakers to give campus police more jurisdiction.
"I really do believe in creating an opportunity for students to have safety training. I believe at the end of the day, there are little things that students can do if they're aware to avoid being victims of crime," said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell.
Mitchell recently created the group in response to the increase in crime on or near campuses in the Atlanta area. The task force was comprised of campus representatives from metro Atlanta colleges and universities.
The group has met over the past month to discuss safety concerns, best practices for campus safety, and solutions to ensure the safety of all college students living on and near college campuses, according to Atlanta City Hall officials.
Several of the recommendations, including the one about police jurisdiction, require the action of state lawmakers. Members of the task force say they plan to lobby state legislators to make those changes.
