The University of Nevada, Reno will host a Traffic and Safety Forum for both the campus community and the community at-large from noon-1 p.m., April 24, in the Joe Crowley Student Union’s Ballroom A on the fourth floor. April is nationally recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and this is the second annual forum on campus that allows for discussion of laws, problem areas and what local agencies are doing to promote safety on the University campus and its surrounding community. Concerns, suggestions and input are encouraged.“It’s a continuing concern for us that motorists and pedestrians stay alert, obey posted speed limits and traffic laws, and use caution while traveling through adjacent roads or on the campus,” said University Chief of Police Services Adam Garcia. “We are happy to partner with many community organizations and agencies to hold this event for the second year in a row and provide a time for the campus community and public to voice concerns and offer their input.”
In addition to University Police Services and a number of University departments, other agencies involved with the forum are the Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Reno Police Department, students from the Davidson Academy, Campus Cycling Coalition and others. The forum is funded in part by the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, RTC and the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno (ASUN). Wendy Damonte, KTVN Channel 2 news anchor, will moderate the forum.
“Safety on and around campus is of utmost concern to the University,” said University President Marc Johnson. “We are committed to providing students, staff and faculty with the information, services and programs that will help us all be knowledgeable participants in basic crime prevention and safety practices.”
Agencies represented will briefly present information on their safety efforts during the past year, current projects and future plans. The RTC will review projects completed in the area and present future plans for area streets and additional crosswalks. Troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol will discuss their concentrated enforcement efforts on pedestrian and crosswalk violations over the next several weeks. The University Police Department will discuss its partnership with the 11- to 17-year-old gifted students at the Davidson Academy, located on campus, to improve pedestrian safety around campus. The motto of this program, created by the Davidson students is, “Look Up, Unplug, Stay Safe.”
Free food has been donated by the RTC and ASUN, and raffle items such as an iPad, bicycles donated by the Reno Sparks Kiwanis Bike Program, helmets and more will be available. There will be informational displays and handouts, and agency representatives will be on hand to answer questions.
Public parking will be available on the top floor of the West Stadium Parking Complex, north of Lawlor Events Center on North Virginia Street.
For more information or to contact University Police Services, go to www.unr.edu/police.
