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GREENSBORO - N.C. A & T has increased its campus police department, installed more security cameras, and updated communications in an effort to improve safety at the school.

The changes, already in place when classes began this week, came at a time when safety concerns are heightened. Two A & T students were shot Aug. 13 at a nearby apartment complex popular with students.

A & T police Chief Glenn Newell said the new safety plan requires more patrol operations during peak hours of pedestrian traffic.

"We thought that we had a great police presence last year, but we've increased it this year," Newell said. "The addition of seven officers allows us to do that."

Three of those officers fill newly created positions. The department now has 35 sworn police officers and 41 non-sworn security guards, Newell said. In February, those numbers were 27 and 34 , respectively.

A & T police also instituted new patrols on bicycle and on Segways, those awkward-looking, battery-powered vehicles on which drivers stand.

"We've identified areas where we feel should be areas where we have a greater police presence," Newell said. "And in those areas we would have officers on foot patrols, as well as Segways."

In addition, telecommunications officers have new software that allows quicker dispatch of emergency calls and informational alerts to officers.

The Aggie One Card office also installed new cameras on campus to strengthen the department's ability to review reported incidents.

While security is beefed up on campus, university police are still limited in the coverage they can provide for the 65 percent of students that live off campus.

The university was criticized last year after a student was slain near the campus. Students have long complained to school officials about safety on campus and in neighborhoods near the school.

In January , Dennis Hayle , 22 , was fatally shot outside his apartment near campus. The case remains unsolved.

In addition, Derek Carl Eaddy Hodge II , 21 , was killed in April 2008 . Last month, police arrested Jaguar Emmanuel Wright , 23, and charged him with murder.

Campus police have jurisdiction over university-owned property and any public road or highway that passes through or adjoins university property.

Campus police work with Greensboro police under a mutual aid agreement, which allows one agency to assist another to enforce state laws. The agreement also allows university police officers to take action outside campus property if a crime occurs in their presence and if they are in the course of their normal duties.

UNCG also has such an agreement with city police .

UNCG police Chief James Herring said his department signed an extension of arrest authority with Greensboro police on July 31 . Campus police can make arrests anywhere within the corporate limits of the city with probable cause. Crimes do not have to occur in their presence to make an arrest.

"The university started expanding outside of what are the traditional boundaries of campus," Herring said. "And as the student population started moving into apartment complexes, we felt like we should work more cooperatively with the city."

UNCG police officers aren' t assigned to student-occupied housing off campus.

Neither are A & T police officers, Newell said.

"But what we do is we work with the (property) mangers," he said. "For instance, if they have a new security company or they hire new security officers, we offer our services to help them train their new officers."

A & T police also offer security assessments to recommend improvements, such as more lighting or a better alarm system - "if invited."

Newell said his officers meet with Greensboro police and managers of popular off-campus sites at least quarterly or more if crime peaks.

William Tipton , whose father owns Statesman Court, said the property manager attends forums for campus safety and generally has a good relationship with campus and city police .

Both agencies were present after the Aug. 13 shooting of two A & T students. They were treated at Moses Cone Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Tipton said the shooting "caught everybody off guard."

He said the complex has a private contract with Guilford Security Agency Inc. and advises students to use their security alarms. The complex also is looking into installing more surveillance cameras.

"We do as much as we can to be more proactive to make it as secure and safe as possible," he said.

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7090 or dioni.wise @news-record.com