As Alabama students return, campus police putting increased focus on safety

As University of Alabama students head back to class this week, Tuscaloosa city leaders are working overtime to ensure the Strip near campus is as safe as it can be.

This fall, local law enforcement officials are making some changes in the area.

“We have implemented a new dedicated unit that works out here. It’s gonna run Wednesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.,” said University of Alabama Police Department Capt. Mark Grimes.

Grimes said UAPD and the Tuscaloosa Police Department will also be adding speed deterrents later in the evenings along University Boulevard in the Strip area as a way to keep drivers from speeding.

“We want to eliminate reckless driving, expedition driving, racing, things like that,” said Grimes. “We have a good partnership with TPD, so they will have officers out here as well. However we may be able to staff with just a little bit more than what they have,” said Grimes

And if you do run into trouble on or around Alabama’s campus, there are more than 100 blue-light boxes with phones available for emergencies.

“They’re all over campus, and we have about five or six on the Strip,” Grimes said. “We are going to add more hopefully in the new year.”

Grimes said the department is building a close relationship with area business owners to keep everyone safe.

Bar owners along the Strip are working closely with local law enforcement on cutting down potential crowding outside their businesses.