Lawrence Police presence coming to campus.
By: Lea Kahn
Aiming to beef up security at Rider University social events, the college has signed an agreement with the Lawrence Township Police Department to pay for a sergeant and two patrolmen on an "as-needed" basis.
Township Council approved a resolution Tuesday night that authorizes the contract for police services. Off-duty police officers will be hired and paid for by Rider University. They will enforce state law and township ordinances, but not the college’s regulations.
Municipal Manager William Guhl reminded Township Council of a recent incident in which a student and a visitor were injured when another visitor to the campus fired a handgun after a social event on campus.
There have been other incidents in the past, so Rider University approached the township for help, he said.
"Obviously, Rider wants a safe campus," Mr. Guhl said.
Out of the meeting between university and township came a suggestion for an increased police presence on campus when there are social events, Mr. Guhl said.
The contract calls for those police officers to work from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as needed, Mr. Guhl said.
Those police officers will not be taken off patrol, but the slots will be filled by off-duty officers, he said.
Mr. Guhl said that when overtime opportunities are posted for police officers, "it’s never a problem" to fill those opportunities..
The manager emphasized that the arrangement will not cost township taxpayers any money. Rider University will pick up the tab for the police officers’ overtime pay, which ranges from $27 to $58 an hour for a patrolman and $65 for a sergeant. The college also will reimburse the township for the use of a patrol car at the rate of $10 an hour.
The agreement is effective beginning with the fall semester and ending each year at the conclusion of the spring semester. The contract can be terminated by either Rider University or Lawrence Township officials, by providing written notice 30 days in advance.
The new arrangement will help form a closer bond between the college and the township, Mr. Guhl said. It is possible that the Police Department may offer suggestions for improving security on campus, he added.
Mr. Guhl reminded the council that the Police Department has had a similar arrangement in place for years with the Quaker Bridge Mall management, he said. The mall pays for a sergeant plus additional patrolmen.