Baylor University Police Department Updates Security Escort Program

Media Contact: Tonya B. Hudson, 254-710-1964
Follow Baylor Media and Public Relations on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia

New hours of operation help maintain staffing of Baylor officers on patrol

WACO, Texas (Jan. 25, 2019) – The Baylor University Police Department has updated its security escort program, adjusting the hours of operation to ensure more Baylor police officers are available to patrol the campus community. The program’s new operating hours, which went to effect last week, are from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.
The security escort program, which provides transportation to on-campus buildings for all students, faculty, staff and visitors to Baylor, has undergone numerous enhancements over the years.

Prior to Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtil taking over the program several years ago, riders were transported in golf carts. Now, Baylor security officers transport riders in marked security vehicles. This latest change is another evolution of the program as BUPD adapts to the needs of the campus community, Wigtil said.

“The security escort program over time has become very popular,” Wigtil said. “As a result, Baylor police officers were needed to transport riders. It became apparent that the best use of officers’ time was ensuring that they are able to focus on patrolling campus on foot and in their vehicles. This change in hours helps us accomplish that goal.”

Other free alternate transportation options are available to the campus community, such as the Baylor University Shuttle (B.U.S.), which is available from 7:25 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. In addition, the After-Hours Route, offers shuttle rides from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

“Baylor police officers are deeply committed to the ensuring the safety and security of the Baylor campus community by actively patrolling and engaging with the campus community. It is important to make sure officers are available to respond to the needs of the Baylor Family on campus,” Wigtil said. “While we made a minor change to the hours of the security escort program, the commitment to our community will not change.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.