Residents of the Iowa State residence halls and greek houses can rest easier since more law enforcement officials have been assigned to protect their areas.

Four new Department of Public Safety officers have been hired with funds from a federal COPPS grant to help “improve the health and safety of residents” in residence halls, fraternities and sororities, according to a press release.

ISU President Martin Jischke authorized the additional personnel and requested that “two officers patrol the greek area, particularly during the evenings and on weekends when there tend to be more social events, visitors and a greater potential for problems.”

The new full-time patrol officers, Aaron Delashmutt, April Musselman, Bob McAleer and Dave Peterson, began orientation and training on March 23 and started working March 30.

Jerry Stewart, associate director of DPS, said the officers met with several groups and group leaders on campus during their orientation, including Dean of Students Kathleen MacKay, the Government of the Student Body and Greek Affairs.

The officers’ responsibilities include presenting a variety of crime prevention programs and attending Inter-Residence Hall Association, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council meetings.

They also target persons who enter the living environments to illegally sell or distribute alcohol and controlled substances and conduct follow-up investigations.

A new fourth shift has been created for the officers.

The initial shift assignments include working Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Depending upon efficiency of the operation, the officers may rotate within the unit three to four times a year.

Stewart said since the officers have been on duty just one week, it is “too early to tell” their impact, but they have received invitations from fraternities to present programs.

Stewart said the DPS crime prevention programs discuss alcohol, sexual assault and available DPS services.

He said one special program that deals with sexual assault is the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

Delashmutt said he is very active in SART. He said there are fewer reports of sexual assault than what actually happens, and that he would like to “get out and help sexual assault survivors.”

Delashmutt said he and the other fourth shift officers will be working Veishea as a group.

He said the officers will be patrolling the greek areas, residence halls and party houses near Campustown on foot or on bicycle, depending upon the weather.

Stewart said all of the 33 certified DPS officers will be working during Veishea and, with the help of the Governor Traffic and Safety Bureau grant money, three Story County deputies have been hired to help. The Story County Sheriff’s office also has added four extra deputies, Stewart said.

The Ames Police Department and DPS student employees also will patrol during Veishea weekend.