The crime interdiction unit created nearly two months ago in response to on-campus crime has provided more aggressive night patrols. Since Feb. 22, the CIU has arrested 15 people – eight University students and seven others – in 13 separate incidents. Three face DWI charges, and 10 face drug-related charges. Only one of the 13 incidents occurred off campus. The majority of these incidents involve traffic violations, which lead to more serious charges. Of the 10 people facing drug-related charges, nine of them face only simple possession of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia. One woman is charged with intent to distribute illegal substances. Seven of those charged for drug-related possession are University students. One man of the three arrested for DWIs is a University student. Only two of the 15 total arrests did not involve drugs or alcohol. One man was arrested for entry or remaining after being forbidden, and a second man was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon. The CIU was created by reallocating resources within the LSUPD, not costing the department any money, LSUPD Spokesman Maj. Lawrence Rabalais said. The CIU consists of three patrol cars – one is driven by the lone supervisor, Lt. Reginald Berry, and the other two have a pair of officers in each car. Rabalais said the team patrols on-campus areas late at night and early morning, varying the time of their patrols from night to night. Rabalais said the increased visibility of officers, particularly those stopping people because of traffic violations, deters criminals from coming to campus.
Since the Dec. 13 double homicide on campus, three separate armed-robbery incidents have occurred on campus. Police have not caught suspects in the double homicide or two of the armed robberies. “We are going to be out there, and if you want to take the chance to come on campus, everything better be legitimate,” Rabalais said. “You better have your car operating properly, not run the red lights, not break the law – because if you break the law, we will stop you.” Berry echoed Rabalais’ sentiments, saying because a majority of on-campus crime is committed by outsiders of the University community, the CIU’s presence during the “dark” hours of the day discourages these criminals from “coming to campus to prey on our students.” Berry stressed the “proactive nature” of the team. He said they use traffic violations and probable cause to search vehicles, perhaps preventing crime before it occurs. “We’re all working together to achieve the common goal, and that’s to increase public safety on LSU’s campus,” Berry said. Rabalais said the teams focus on patrolling the campus’ interior. He said they look to identify “the criminal element” of suspects by using probable cause, such as traffic violations. Berry said he could not disclose the times of patrols or the members of the CUI. He said the information is being kept secret to increase the unit’s efficiency and allow the officers’ privacy for future patrols. The officers assigned to the unit applied for the position and were selected because of their experience in similar departments and knowledge of campus, Berry said. These officers were taken off the normal call rotation system used by LSUPD and reassigned to the CIU patrol. Rabalais said he discussed the team’s creation with LSUPD interim Police Chief Gary Durham and several patrol captains who were brainstorming ways to make campus safer. Berry said he is optimistic about the unit’s future and hopes to add several more officers to the unit. He said he foresees the unit becoming a permanent component of LSUPD because of the its success.
—-Contact Nicholas Persac at [email protected]