PUBLIC SAFETY FORCE DOUBLES IN SIZE TO PATROL TCC CAMPUSES

Old Dominion's police force is now larger than those of most counties in Eastern Virginia.

No, crime on campus has not been getting out of hand. As part of a move to consolidate resources, Old Dominion now has officers patrolling the Tidewater Community College campuses in South Hampton Roads. The effort required a doubling of the number of officers in the department, which now stands at 128.

The university is being compensated by TCC for the services, said Cliff Rice, director of public safety. EVMS has a similar arrangement with Old Dominion.

"It's on a 24-7 basis on all campuses," said Rice. "When they're open or closed, we're still there."

Rice added that the additional coverage is going well, and assured that public safety on the Old Dominion campus is not being compromised by these new areas of responsibility.