WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Changes are slated for a local college in Central Ohio as students will notice a change in how safety is handled on campus.
Otterbein College isn't taking any chances, NBC 4's Tacoma Newsome reported.
"Otterbein is a very safe campus, but we've had an occasional armed robbery and some crime on campus," said Larry Banaszak, security director.
Within the year, Otterbein College Security Department will become Otterbein Police Department, complete with guns, protective gear and the authority to make arrests.
"That means we're able to respond to crime victims a lot sooner, we're able to deter crime just by our visibility," Banaszak said.
The current security officers are already sworn police officers in different jurisdictions, but they will have to reapply to be on Otterbein's new force.
The total cost of the transition is $150,000, but that's spread over five years. Much of that money is for equipment like turning security cars into full-fledged cruisers.
Banaszak said the Westerville Police Department is helping them with the transition.
"When you compare the powers and duties of a security officer versus that of a police officer, there's really no comparison," Banaszak said.
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