"Our No. 1 priority is the safety of all students who attend this University," said Police Chief Don Strom. "We are continuing several programs and adding some new ones to make sure our students are as safe as possible."

During October, there were four robberies in University City, two involving University students. Two incidents in the past month along Skinker Boulevard near Delmar Boulevard have also involved University students.

The Neighborhood Security Patrol patrols the areas north and east of campus nightly from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

"They are an extra set of eyes and ears in the neighborhoods where the University owns nearly 150 apartment buildings," Strom said.

Last week, the department began its "Don't Be in the Dark" program, aimed at educating students on safety issues. Officers handed out fliers with safety tips on walking after dark, along with an emergency whistle.

Nearly 2,000 information packets have been distributed so far, Strom said.

He said the WUPD and the University City Police Department have made a commitment to extra police patrols in the area; University City Police and WUPD have partnered to provide extra patrols in the area of Greenway Walkway. Officers have also been assigned to make checks every half-hour in the Skinker and Washington Avenue area.

E-mails have been sent to students living off-campus, including the same message put forth in the "Don't Be in the Dark" packets.