West Virginia University and the City of Morgantown have agreed to a cooperation and assistance agreement giving WVU University Police “primary responsibility” for law enforcement in an area of Morgantown that is home to many fraternity and sorority houses and other students.

“This agreement is an example of the close cooperation between the City and the University in general and our respective police departments in particular,” UPD Chief Bob Roberts said. “It will benefit both the University and the city.”

“By working with University Police in an area in which the majority of the population are students, it allows our officers to be utilized more effectively in other areas of the City,” said Morgantown City Manager Jeff Mikorski. “It’s another way we’re able to allocate our existing resources to improve public safety.”

Mikorski announced the agreement to City Council at Tuesday’s (Jan. 5) meeting.

The two groups have been working on the agreement for several months, dating back to early last year.

“This agreement will allow University police to build stronger relations with the Greek community,” said WVU Dean of Students Corey Farris.

Roberts noted that University police have access to some enforcement tools that MPD does not, specifically the University’s student conduct process. Additionally, they will conduct additional educational programs for the Greek community.

While UPD will have primary responsibility in the so-called “cooperative zone,” and will specifically assign officers to the area and bear the cost, MPD will retain jurisdiction and University police will defer to MPD should it become necessary.

The agreement will be implemented as a pilot program and reviewed quarterly. The initial term of the agreement is one year, but may be extended.

-WVU-

jb/01/06/15

CONTACT: Sabrina Cave; WVU Student Life
304.293.2506; Sabrina.Cave@mail.wvu.edu

or

Chelsi Baker; City of Morgantown
304.284.7426; cbaker@morgantownwv.gov

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.