New U-M public safety director plans to hold weekly public meetings
New University of Michigan Public Safety Director Greg O'Dell.
New University of Michigan Public Safety Director Greg O’Dell said Tuesday that he plans to begin holding weekly crime meetings that are open to the public.
“We really need to hear what the community has to say, what the community’s concerns are,” O’Dell said during a media reception at U-M’s Fleming Administration Building.
O’Dell said he plans to begin the open meetings “as quickly as we possibly can.”
Diane L. Brown, spokeswoman for the university’s Department of Public Safety, said that crime meetings with safety department and other university officials were previously held “on an as-needed basis.”
Before becoming public safety director at U-M on Aug. 22, O’Dell served as the public safety director for Eastern Michigan University. He is a 20-year veteran of the Ann Arbor Police Department.
O'Dell will oversee about 55 sworn officers, Brown said. Last year the department filed approximately 4,492 incident reports.
O’Dell also said that he plans to increase the visibility of uniformed officers on campus.
“I am a pretty big believer of patrolling on foot and getting officers out of cars,” O’Dell said. “Our visibility is vitally important.”
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at or 734-623-4602.
Comments
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
"I am a pretty big believer of patrolling on foot and getting officers out of cars," O'Dell said. "Our visibility is vitally important." don't say i recall seeing many foot patrols around emu...but i will say i saw a major improvement of publick safety vehicles.
RJA
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Grear plan, you go O'Dell !! Your work will be appreciated by many!
David Cahill
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
This is a great idea! I hope people participate.
Nephilim
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 3:54 a.m.
For $630.13 a day, that's a bargain price for a welcome change. He is a great guy I will admit that but in a time when every major employer is asking concessions from their median level employees, no one takes issue with the paycheck he's receiving? Where is the uproar from all the city residents who pay taxes? Hello....some of your state taxes goes right back to that university whether you like it or not. He oversees 55 sworn officers...that's $4181.81 a year. Not too bad considering he makes more than most chiefs of police that work for major city's. Go ahead and justify it though I'm sure it's well worth the price tag.
trespass
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
keeping the University Administration's secrets doesn't come cheap. Just look at the 21 month buy out of the last police chief.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
wow. This is fantastic stuff! seriously... what a welcome change.
Mr Blue
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
I hope he expressly and enthusiastically endorses mutual aid cooperation with the City.