Tagged: Safety

How long have you been with OSUPD? How long have you been part of the Joint Patrol Program? 

The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) gathered for a memorial service to honor those who have served and to rededicate the garden in front of Blankenship Hall to OSUPD Officer Michael Blankenship, who was killed in the line of duty in1997. 

“We’re proud to remember Officer Michael Blankenship and all those who lost their lives in service,” said OSUPD Chief Dennis Jeffrey. “We want to make sure we continue to honor them and show our respect for all they sacrificed for our community.”

A Buckeye Alert system test will occur May 20. Students, faculty and staff on all Ohio State campuses will receive a text message that will be clearly identified as a test. 

As highlighted by Lantern TV, Buckeye Block Watch promotes a safe and welcoming community in the University District. Patrols act as eyes and ears for safety concerns, offering resources and information while reporting suspicious activity. 

Buckeye Block Watch patrols in the University District neighborhood each night from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Patrols are on foot, on bikes and in a Buckeye Block Watch vehicle. They are not sworn law enforcement officers, and do have arrest powers or carry firearms.

A new law has taken effect classifying stealing packages as a felony of the fifth degree. Ohio Revised Code 2913.021 means harsher penalties for offenders who steal mail, packages, or other deliveries from porches, mailrooms, or loading docks. 

Name? Rank?   

Nana Amoako, Patrol Officer

How long have you been with OSUPD?   

I have been with OSUPD since December 2020.

Where are you from and how does that help shape who you are today? 

The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) is launching a new pilot program to use cruise lights while on nighttime patrol on the Columbus campus.

These newly installed cruise lights sit along the rear driver-side and passenger-side windows of the police vehicle. Rather than flashing, they are steady, low-intensity lights that are used to increase the visibility of police vehicles.

The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) celebrated excellence in law enforcement at its 2024 Annual Award Ceremony on February 13, 2025. 

Name? Rank?

Paul Swan, Officer and Sniper Team Leader.

How long have you been with OSUPD?

Four years.

Where are you from and how does that help shape who you are today?

I was born in Columbus, raised in Zanesville, and attended College in Holland, MI. I credit my college and the good people who surrounded me for the development of the person I am today.

What inspired you to become an OSUPD officer? 

Safety is top-of-mind, and the university wants to remind all Buckeyes about the tools and resources available to enhance your safety as we begin spring semester. 

While campus is a safe place, Columbus is large city and crimes do occur. Safety is a shared responsibility as students learn to live on their own in an urban area and safely navigate a growing, metropolitan city. Learning to utilize the below tools will enhance your safety now and after graduation and is an important part of the college experience.