UTPD increases patrols in West Campus with semester starting soon

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AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas Police Department said it increased patrols in West Campus after reports of people experiencing homelessness acting "inappropriately," the agency said on social media.

The UT-Austin fall semester begins Monday.

UTPD said this happened during "fraternity and sorority recruitment" around the campus. The agency said it received multiple reports of "suspicious behaviors."

The agency said it alerted the Austin Police Department and West Campus Ambassadors.

Those who need to report any suspicious activity can do so by calling 911 immediately or messaging the agency on the LiveSafe app.

According to UTPD, the LifeSafe report will go directly to the dispatch center and alert officers in the area.

West Campus Ambassador program

The university said the West Campus ambassador program is expanding to cover the entire neighborhood for the 2024-25 school year after a successful first run last year.

The ambassadors focus on safety, cleaning and hospitality services in the neighborhood, home to 20,000 students, next to the UT campus.

According to UT, the West Campus Ambassadors in their first year:

• Escorted over 500 people safely throughout West Campus
• Hauled away over 30,000 pounds of trash
• Greeted and engaged with over 15,000 visitors
• Removed over 2,000 pieces of graffiti

The safety ambassadors will be available 24 hours a day Thursday through Sunday, and 7 a.m. – 3:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Abigail Jones contributed to this story.