City of Buffalo and UB Partner on New Initiatives to Improve Safety, Quality of Life in University Heights

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown and University at Buffalo President John B. Simpson today announced new collaborative initiatives to improve safety, deter crime and enhance the quality of life in University Heights.

Starting Aug. 27, the Buffalo Police Department and University Police will run joint patrols along Main Street in Buffalo on Thursday through Saturday nights. Officers from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority also will join the patrols.

In addition, UB has purchased two new security cameras for the city. They have been installed on Main Street at the corners of Englewood and LaSalle avenues. These cameras are in addition to the three cameras purchased by UB for the Buffalo Police Department in the fall of 2008.

UB also has purchased Segway Personal Transporters and bicycles for use by Buffalo and UB police officers, which will enhance the community policing efforts of both departments. Bike and Segway patrols permit officers to be highly visible and are effective in patrolling defined areas with large groups of people. UB is providing specialized bike patrol training to all officers.

The City of Buffalo, Brown said, will be more aggressive on housing code enforcement in the neighborhood to improve the safety and upkeep of problem properties in University Heights.

"These new initiatives demonstrate the seriousness of the city's and the university's joint commitment to enhancing quality of life in University Heights, one of Buffalo's many great neighborhoods," Brown said. "Working together, we will strengthen and enhance our use of best practices shown to improve communities, deter crime and safeguard citizens' property and well being."

Simpson said the new initiatives are an example of UB's continued commitment to working in partnership with its neighbors to improve the quality of life near its campuses. The UB Office of Student Affairs will again deliver at the beginning of the fall semester information kits to all students and community members who reside in University Heights. The kits will highlight safety reminders and tips for students on how to be good neighbors, and provide community members with contacts for UB's Office of Off-Campus Student Services and the Mayor's Call and Resolution Center, if there are safety or behavior issues to be addressed.

"UB prides itself on being a good community citizen, dedicated to the greater good of our communities," Simpson said. "Safety, peace and mutual respect among neighbors are essential ingredients of any good neighborhood. Working with Mayor Brown and the Buffalo Police Department, UB will help preserve those ideals for all residents of University Heights."

Although statistics show a decrease in overall crime in University Heights, Brown and Simpson said the new collaborative measures are necessary to further reduce the incidence of crime and nuisances -- such as loud parties -- in the neighborhood.

As part of the City of Buffalo-UB effort, the Buffalo Police Department will increase the presence of daily patrols in the neighborhood and will focus its Mobile Response Unit on pockets of criminal activity in the neighborhood.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.