As crime rates continue to rise in the University of Memphis area, law enforcement officials at The University of Memphis are grappling with the problem with one hand tied behind their backs.
Roger Fowler, director of Public Safety, attributes much of the problem to an inadequate number of officers currently employed by The U of M.
According to Fowler, the salary offered to police officers by The University is lower than that offered by most other law enforcement agencies. Therefore, many officers are seeking employment elsewhere, creating a continuous turnover among officers that patrol The U of M.
"We are currently five officers short of a full platoon, and that is certainly fewer than we like to have out there," Fowler said.
Due to large budget cuts at The University, partially stemming from a lack of adequate funding from the state, the Department of Public Safety faces continuing problems keeping a full staff.
Consequently, University law enforcement officials are planning to implement a joint effort with the Memphis Police Department to help patrol the area.
While officials are hoping that the measure will decrease crime in the area, the joint resolution between the departments has not yet been approved by the MPD, thus leaving the Department of Public Safety -- for the time being -- short-handed.
"Our current officer corps has not had problems policing the area, but we are constantly looking for people to add to the team," Fowler said.
Fowler added that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified applicants to fill the vacant positions.
"We are losing many officers to police departments in surrounding areas, such as the Shelby County Sheriff's Department," said Fowler. "They simply pay more than we can."
The police officers that patrol The U of M area currently work in 12-hour shifts, with four officers on duty on each shift.
To further deter crime in the area, The U of M has placed permanent part-time employees in the observation towers during peak student activity hours.
The towers, which are located in the Central and Southern parking lots, are usually occupied between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and again between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Although the employees in the observation towers are not commissioned police officers, Fowler said they have proved to be an effective deterrent in combating the most common crime in the area -- car theft.
"We have seen a decrease of car theft around the towers, but it continues to be problem on the east end of the south lot and on Zach Curlin," Fowler said.
Officials suggest parking near an observation tower to best protect yourself and your car.
In addition, the Tiger Patrol, a service offered by The University to anyone who wishes to be escorted to their vehicle during nighttime hours, is also an effective safety feature.
Though car theft in the area continues to rise, Fowler said violent crimes such as rape and robbery are not common on campus.
