The UW-Madison Badger Watch program is looking for student and faculty volunteers to take part in a one-hour training session on safety programs.
The watch program is part of the University of Wisconsin Police Department intended to promote safety in the campus community.
According to UWPD Officer Erik Pearce, Badger Watch started in 2002 and currently has over 1,000 volunteers. The program is modeled after a traditional neighborhood watch program.
Pearce said becoming a member is simple and a minimal time commitment is needed.
Simply attend a one-hour training session, and that's it. There are no further commitments to either you or your building,"" Pearce said in a statement.
Pearce said training includes a variety of programs regarding safety and CPR.
""People receive training on all kinds of safety initiatives, like building safety, office safety and personal safety,"" he said.
After training is finished, members are not obligated to pledge additional time, according to Pearce.
Members are able to access resources within the program to help them make informed decisions while on and off duty.
In light of recent downtown crimes, Pearce said extra watch over campus property is always helpful.
""We are certainly not short on volunteers, but the more volunteers we have, the more safe campus is,"" he said. ""We try to train as many people in the safety and security awareness training as we can in the hopes that the more people we have '¦ the safer campus will be.""
