Off-campus safety dominated the discussion of the Community Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) Wednesday afternoon at the Downtown Office of the University.
The group is composed of representatives from Notre Dame, Holy Cross College and Saint Mary's College as well as officials from South Bend city offices and agencies.
The Coalition discussed the progress made so far on a number of proposals to increase overall safety in the South Bend community, especially the neighborhoods and apartment complexes immediately surrounding Notre Dame.
The neighborhood watch proposed at various safety meetings in recent months has not yet begun, associate vice president for Public Affairs Tim Sexton said.
"We want to make sure that as students come and go this program continues and is sustainable," Sexton said.
"I think the unique part is that there's an involvement of groups that haven't been involved before from both residents and students," Bill Kirk, associate vice president for Resident Life said of the neighborhood watch.
Student body president Grant Schmidt said off-campus safety is a common concern to both neighborhood residents and students.
"Students and neighbors can really unite on this," he said.
The recent addition of a Transpo shuttle to operate on the weekends was an effort to offer a safe transportation option for students, Schmidt said.
The new route will begin Friday and will run from Library Circle to South Street Station. Schmidt said that the total round trip time for the new route will be about 30 minutes and is free for Notre Dame students.
The Coalition discussed security measures over winter break, including free storage for students with the help of Notre Dame Security Police (NDSP) and increased informational meetings and tips from area landlords.
South Bend landlord Mark Kramer advised students to not only lock and alarm their residences, but also to call South Bend Police for a vacation watch of their off-campus house.
An off-campus safety meeting sponsored by student government will take place in the Carey Auditorium of the Hesburgh Library Monday at 7 p.m.
The next CCAC meeting will be held at Holy Cross College on Jan. 27 at 3:30 p.m.
