Bradley University President Gary Roberts said there will be "noticeably heightened law enforcement visibility" on and around the campus as crime concerns mount.
A number of incidents, mostly armed robberies involving handguns, have been reported near the campus. The latest incident last week involved a victim unaffiliated with the university robbed at gunpoint on the sidewalk between Westlake Hall and Bradley Hall.
Roberts met with Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion III, Mayor Jim Ardis, and Councilman Chuck Grayeb on Saturday to draft a safety plan. It includes more Peoria police patrols to compliment Bradley University police patrols, shaking up patrolling strategies, beefing up surveillance, and increasing the availability of the Hilltop Safety Cruiser for students.
Roberts said the university police department will also hire more officers to allow more time for patrols. The BU Police Department currently has 21 officers.
"We are encouraged by how quickly the City of Peoria and our Administration have joined forces to care for and protect Bradley University students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Nothing is more important than their safety and well-being, and we will always have a commitment to making and maintaining our campus community as safe and secure as it can be," Roberts said in a letter to students and parents sent Monday.
He added that many of the recent "troubling but isolated" incidents are likely related. He said local police are working to arrest those responsible.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))