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Bill would restrict reach of campus police

At a time when crimes against college students dominate the headlines, a proposed bill would dial back the jurisdiction of college police departments.
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ATLANTA -- It’s been an uneasy winter in some neighborhoods near Georgia Tech’s downtown campus. A wave of robberies challenged police, and the nerves of residents.

"Two people came at me, one with a gun," recalled Gautier Hussan, who was among the victims. Many of the robberies have taken place just outside of the boundaries of Tech’s campus.

READ | Ga. Tech student robbed at gunpoint; 3rd incident within three weeks

Yet state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) thinks college campus police have too much leeway to patrol in areas outside the boundaries of campus.

"Generally speaking I don’t think campus police departments need to be involved in traffic enforcement and those types of problems a great distance away from their campus," Cowsert, the Senate Republican leader, told 11Alive News Wednesday.

Cowsert put language in a Senate bill that narrows the reach of college campus police. Currently campus police have jurisdiction 1500 feet beyond the campus boundaries –more than a quarter mile. Cowsert’s measure narrows that reach – from 1500 feet to five hundred feet, less than a tenth of a mile.

Cowsert says the Senate approved his language "without objection," meaning there was no vote on his amendment. The bill, originally designed to bolster police on technical college campuses, passed overwhelmingly with votes from both parties. "The focus of campus police is to protect students on campus," Cowsert said.

But critics say campus police need the greater leeway to patrol outside of campus boundaries. "We’re hopeful that if it gets to the House that we can change it back," said state Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas, who represents Georgia Tech's turf in the House of Representatives. "Because they do need to have the freedom to move not only throughout their campus, but also on the exterior."

The campus police bill is headed to the House. But Cowsert says university officials have already contacted him to express concerns about the bill. Cowsert says he’s meeting with them later this week.

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