Police gear up for start of classes at ASU

Tempe and Arizona State University police braced for the return of thousands of college students Monday by providing the large campus with extra attention and manpower, authorities say.

"When the population goes up, so does the crime rate," said Tempe patrol officer Mike Vick.

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Tempe patrol shifts are not being changed to keep an eye on the college, Vick said, but patrol officers are refocusing on the traffic around the school and making their presence known.

Cmdr. Jim Hardina of ASU police said ASU patrol officers will be focusing on three main pedestrian violations the first three weeks of school: jaywalking, bicycle violations and walking in a crosswalk despite a "don't walk" signal.

"(In) 75 percent of bike-versus-car accidents, the bike is the cause of the accident," Hardina said.

On the small stretch of road between Rural Road and Veterans Way on University Drive, two police cruisers with flashing lights were posted to watch for traffic violations Monday.

According to Tempe police spokesman Steve Carbajal, officers like to prepare ahead of time for the start of all the Tempe schools.

"We try to make an impact on the schools early in the year, to make sure everything is going well," Carbajal said.

Carbajal and Vick agreed that the end of the school day, typically around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., is one of the busiest times for officers.

Vick said that college students who live off-campus often speed or become involved in traffic accidents.

The intersection of Rural Road and University Drive is the most chaotic, Vick said, the site of the most traffic accidents of any Tempe intersection because it is a "major hub."

Near Parking Lot 7 on the ASU campus, another hub of student activity, Tempe police volunteers were handing out sexual-assault pamphlets.

The pamphlet provides resources for students who become victims of sexual assault as well as tips for prevention.

Amanda Lawrence, a Tempe police volunteer, wanted to help the department spread awareness to new students.

"A lot of people think it can never happen to them," said Lawrence, who said she wants to eventually join Vick as a patrol officer for the Tempe Police Department.

The beginning of school is one of the worst times for traffic in Tempe, and that will most likely be compounded in future years with the upcoming addition of the Apache Road light rail, Vick said.