The new chief of the Eugene Police Department reiterated Tuesday the need for cooperation among EPD, the University and the community.
Speaking at the Campus Community Relations Task Force meeting, Chief Robert Lehner said a dialogue needs to be established on the type of community policing the city needs.
“You’re going to see a very open discussion of this,” he said.
The task force is a campus-community coalition that includes University, law enforcement, city government and community representatives who address issues such as off-campus safety, party control and housing issues.
Lehner underscored the challenges of finding one definition for community policing.
“We have to make that definition and we haven’t done that work yet,” Lehner said.
Since he took office earlier this year, Lehner has met with representatives from campus, including ASUO President Maddy Melton, to discuss the department’s relationship with the University.
“I hope the relationship between the students and EPD can hopefully be better than it has been,” Melton said. She added the new chief had made it clear students’ rights would not be trampled on, and students also had a responsibility to address the part they play in problems EPD might have concerns with.
Lehner added it was key to have the right players at the table to have successful dialogue.
Assistant Dean and Associate Director for Student Life Sheryl Eyster said one of these steps is the creation of a packet to be given to students who are making the transition from on-campus to off-campus living. She said the packet, which is still being put together, will include various brochures on students’ rights and responsibilities as well useful community resources.
“We hope to have that ready for students this spring,” Eyster said.
The University is also already helping to co-fund a bicycle patrol police officer in the West University Neighborhood. While the officer deals with concerns related to parties, some of the most common concerns in the area include dark streets and unsafe alleys where criminal activity has been reported, said Associate Vice President for Institutional Affairs Jan Oliver.
EPD also has a new sergeant assigned to work on campus in collaboration with DPS. Sgt. Mark Montes, who started work on campus at the beginning of spring term, said patrols are beneficial in keeping things under control in general.
“I’ve seen a more calming effect by having regularly scheduled party patrols,” Montes said.
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