The Yellow Jackets volunteer patrol program kicks off its first patrol Monday evening.
But so far, only five students have stepped up to wear the Department of Public Safety’s banana yellow jackets.
“We’re not expecting to get a huge number of people, but we’re hoping to,” said DPS officer and Yellow Jackets coordinator Royce Myers.
The volunteer program aims to keep campus safer by patrolling areas where crimes have occurred in the past, such as Pioneer Cemetery and the area surrounding the Knight Library. All participants will work in pairs, wear bright yellow jackets and carry a two-way radio to alert DPS when incidents occur.
Myers said the purpose of the program is to alert DPS when crimes occur, not to intervene. But unlike the blue emergency phones around campus, Yellow Jackets will also be available as on-campus escorts.
“They do a little more than the phones,” Myers said.
Students, faculty and staff can still participate in the program by attending one of two training sessions at 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. Sunday in 146 Straub.

— Brook Reinhard