ALBANY, N.Y. (March 28, 2007) -- Mayor Gerald D. Jennings announced this morning a joint safety program established by the Albany Police Department, the University at Albany and the College of Saint Rose. 

The Mayor was joined by University at Albany Provost and Officer in Charge Susan Herbst, College of Saint Rose President Mark Sullivan, Albany Police Chief James W. Tuffey, University at Albany Police Chief Frank Wiley and College of Saint Rose Security Director Steven Stella. 

The Safe Corridors Program is a result of the continuing partnership and safety efforts between the City of Albany and the University at Albany and the College of Saint Rose. 

Student safety, both on and off campus has been a priority in the Albany community. Off-campus crime prevention efforts have traditionally focused on the student downtown residential population.  As an extension of this population, it was recognized that certain paths or "corridors" were being used by students/pedestrians to walk to and from residences, schools, establishments and meeting places. 

Recognizing the need to provide a "Safe Corridor" for pedestrian traffic, the partners identified an area where high pedestrian traffic was occurring regularly and then conducted a security survey to raise the entire area's safety and security level equivalent with the objective of the partnership.  

Once the "Safe Corridor" was identified, an approach was taken that included: education, environmental re-design and more intensive police and security patrols of the area. 

Operation Safe Corridor will provide:

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts will be incorporated in the area.  The streets will be regularly surveyed to maintain lighting and proper tree trimming to increase overall lighting efficiency.
• Prominent street signs with the "Safe Corridors" logo erected throughout the selected streets.
• Educational programs will be provided to students that will include; Safety Fairs, the Rape Aggression Defense Program (RAD) and Fatal Vision, an alcohol awareness program. 
• Designated patrols in the "Safe Corridor" by the Albany Police Department, University at Albany Police and the College of Saint Rose Security will be conducted during high traffic periods. 
• Installation of Video cameras in the area of the "Safety Corridor."

"Operation Safe Corridor is another example of the city's commitment to partnering with our local colleges and universities.  The safety of our students and the entire neighborhood is extremely important to continuing the improvement in the quality of life in the Pine Hills neighborhood," Jennings said.

"The Operation Safe Corridor initiative will be a vital part of a continuing collaboration between the institutions of higher education, Albany Police and the City of Albany to ensure the safety of our students and the community," said Herbst.

"The safety and security of all of our students, faculty and staff is and will always be paramount.  This new security initiative further demonstrates the outstanding partnership between Saint Rose, UAlbany and the City of Albany to promote personal responsibility and improve the quality of life in our community," said Sullivan.