Police patrol bolstered, safety ensues
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
Many students near Carpenter Complex noticed an increased amount of police patrol during the NCAA basketball tournament, including extra patrol, extra patrol cars and even officers on horseback.
Monday, many students living in Carpenter Complex found flyers on their doors warning them of increased police patrol. The University of Memphis Police Services Deputy Director Derek Myers said The U of M police teamed up with the Memphis Police Department to increase their patrol methods during the spring NCAA basketball tournament championship. Officers were spread heavily throughout campus and the Memphis community, scoping signs of rowdy behavior.
"As a part of our special operations, we got with the city and we sat down and talked (about) both before and during the latest game," Myers said.
Myers said some of the patrolling was the result of a possible break-in at the basketball players' townhouses after they left for San Antonio. Myers said the front door had been broken open, but they were unsure whether anything had been stolen because they had not had a chance to talk with players.
Some students felt safer due to the increased amount of patrol.
"Yes, I felt safer," said Morgan Bonner, freshman nursing major. "After Taylor Bradford got shot, you noticed a strong police presence anyway."
Other students living in Carpenter Complex were indifferent about the extra patrolling.
"I noticed a lot more cops are over here. It doesn't feel really different," said Emma Turri, junior art major. "I feel like they should pay attention to everybody instead of the basketball players."
Myers said the police always try to watch the basketball players' house when they are out of town.
"We kind of operate like this if we feel that there is a need, and if we are having a problem somewhere we will put extra people there," Myers said. "We have always patrolled the area, and we try to focus where the problems are."
Monday, many students living in Carpenter Complex found flyers on their doors warning them of increased police patrol. The University of Memphis Police Services Deputy Director Derek Myers said The U of M police teamed up with the Memphis Police Department to increase their patrol methods during the spring NCAA basketball tournament championship. Officers were spread heavily throughout campus and the Memphis community, scoping signs of rowdy behavior.
"As a part of our special operations, we got with the city and we sat down and talked (about) both before and during the latest game," Myers said.
Myers said some of the patrolling was the result of a possible break-in at the basketball players' townhouses after they left for San Antonio. Myers said the front door had been broken open, but they were unsure whether anything had been stolen because they had not had a chance to talk with players.
Some students felt safer due to the increased amount of patrol.
"Yes, I felt safer," said Morgan Bonner, freshman nursing major. "After Taylor Bradford got shot, you noticed a strong police presence anyway."
Other students living in Carpenter Complex were indifferent about the extra patrolling.
"I noticed a lot more cops are over here. It doesn't feel really different," said Emma Turri, junior art major. "I feel like they should pay attention to everybody instead of the basketball players."
Myers said the police always try to watch the basketball players' house when they are out of town.
"We kind of operate like this if we feel that there is a need, and if we are having a problem somewhere we will put extra people there," Myers said. "We have always patrolled the area, and we try to focus where the problems are."