A few cops will join students in the residence halls this semester.

Community Safety Centers are stations for NIU police officers to better protect students who live in the residence halls.

The centers are located on the second floor of Grant B Tower, the Stevenson Area Office and the concourse in Douglas between A and B wings. Even though Lincoln won’t have an office in its building, officers will move between Douglas and Lincoln halls.

“The officers are there to assist the students in better protecting their persons or property so they are not victimized,” NIU Police Chief Don Grady said.

During the day, a detective will work out of the office. In the evening, an officer will remain in the office while two officers walk around their respective hall.

University Police hope the new arrangement will enhance their relationship with students.

“The goal there is the concept of community-based policing, where they really do get to know residents in a particular area, and develop a relationship with them,” said Michael Coakley, executive director of Student Housing and Dining Services. “So the students feel comfortable going to the police when there is an issue that needs to be addressed.”

Having the centers in residence halls hopefully will prevent crime.

“Officers are there to prevent crime, not find crime,” Grady said. “Their idea is prevention, not apprehension.”

Officials said that the officers’ jobs are not to go out and look for crime and arrest students, but rather to reduce crime.

“If you know that a police officer was around, that might deter something from happening,” NIU Judicial Director Larry Bolles said.

Although officers and NIU administrators share a positive outlook about the centers moving into the halls, students have mixed feelings.

Freshman undecided major Kristin Ehrler said that although the added police presence would be annoying, she would feel safer.