Langston University Adds To Campus Police Force

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- One Oklahoma university that has seen its share of serious crimes on campus has beefed up its security. Langston University has hired three more officers.

A shooting occurred on campus last October, and there have been 57 assaults between 2007 and 2009. But that's not why the police force is adding more officers.

Chief Michael Storr has been the top cop at Langston University for the past four years. He said he knows the campus all too well. He started as a patrolman back in 1996 and was even a student at Langston. He still patrols the campus today, talking with the students, faculty and staff as a way to make the police presence known and to make himself more approachable.

"Just like any other university, we try our devil best to make Langston a safe environment," Storr said.

Now he's adding three more police officers to his department to handle the overnight portion of their 24 hour patrol, bringing his total force up to 12, including him.

"We're trying to see if we can put things in place that will help us to deal with situations when they do occur," Storr said.

Students at Langston University said they support more officers on campus but also said they already feel pretty safe.

"It's a good thing. You can never have too much security, I guess," said Charleston Fanning, Langston student.

The school already checks everyone who comes on campus, but now having an extra set of eyes at night will be seen as a benefit and not big brother.

"We want to keep Langston as safe as possible by putting in place such as hiring security and hiring police officers. This is what our goals are," Storr said.