Ohio State University police cruisers get new look to improve safety

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio State University Police Division's (OSUPD) cruisers are now equipped with some additional lights with the hopes they'll make the vehicles easier to see.

“This was something where folks could see police cruisers out and about so if they needed a cruiser they’d know where they’re at," OSUPD Chief Dennis Jeffrey said.  

Blue light strips have been added near the back of each side on each cruiser. They are on constantly during nighttime patrols, even when the traditional emergency lights are not.  

“I think it's definitely more noticeable to have that type of light especially at night and there’s usually a lot of people out, and just like so much movement so I feel like having that will definitely make it a lot easier to spot," Ohio State sophomore Sarah Kabbani said. 

The blue lights were added to all of OSUPD's cruisers a couple months ago. The idea was first brought to Jeffrey last year by a member of student government, according to the chief. He said the division researched other police departments which use the lights, then added them at OSUPD to make the cruisers more visible.  

"It's just a way in a very sometimes, very hectic overpopulated area which we are on campus that it's just a way for that car to stick out, sometimes it's hard, even now with a lot of cars or SUVs like our cruisers a lot of times people won't know that's a cruiser," Jeffrey said. "They might want to flag it down, so this is just another way for them if they needed to flag that cruiser down, just gives them that instant notification with the blue light that it's a cruiser."  

Aidan Barker, a first-year student at Ohio State, had not seen or heard about the new lights until NBC4 talked with him about them. He said they make a lot of sense.  

“Columbus is obviously, like, a city, so anything that police can do to up the safety is definitely good," he said. 

Some studies have shown the lights can deter crime, according to OSUPD. They are dimmer than the emergency lights on the cruisers.