On August 10, 2018, West Virginia University students will begin to return to campus and move into the dormitories and rental properties in the area. During this time, there will be an influx of thousands of people that are unfamiliar with the roadways and the local area.
The Morgantown Police Department, along with WVU Police and staff, will be working in the area to provide for general safety. Motorists are encouraged to alter their routes if possible to avoid the anticipated congestion that will be around the campus and student residential areas. If you have to travel through these areas please be vigilant, pay attention to detours and traffic directions. There will also be several roadway improvement projects occurring during this time that will also affect traffic in the area.
Police will be staffed at maximum levels and officers will be patrolling and stationed throughout all of the areas of high congestion and activity. Officers will be heavily enforcing all traffic laws with an increased focus on distracted driving, using cell phones while operating motor vehicles, and failure to yield to pedestrians. Additionally, officers will be concentrating on those properties where nuisance parties are occurring as well as taking action against all alcohol violations, such as underage consumption, public intoxication, open container violations and any other activities that would be considered a breach of the peace.
The department will be operating at maximum staffing levels for the next several weeks and will be working in conjunction with the other law enforcement agencies in the local area, including WVU staff, the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration.
The Morgantown Police Department is committed to its goal of eliminating crime in our city. Citizens are encouraged to become a “Partner in Policing”, by reporting suspected criminal activity to Morgantown Police Department Switchboard at (304) 284-7522. If you need immediate police attention or a crime is in progress call 911.