News and Updates

In February 2006, University of Washington President Mark Emmert appointed a group of interested stakeholders to take a comprehensive look at concerns regarding the neighborhood located north of 45th Street, bordering the University campus. The president’s action was taken in response to long-standing concerns by neighbors, the City of Seattle, and students about uncontrolled parties, excessive noise, vandalism, crime and safety in this area. President Emmert’s invitation to the Work Group members acknowledged that with more than 6,000 University of Washington students living north of the campus, including approximately 3,000 in the Greek System, UW students are a significant presence in the neighborhood.

The report has now been published, and the recommendations are as follows:

• Develop an ongoing Committee and Create a Campus-Community Coalition
• Strengthen Police Coordination and Enforcement
• Re-Evaluate the Student Conduct Code
• Amend and Enforce Land Use and Housing Codes
• Purchase Property in the Area
• Establish a Housing quality Assurance Program
• Enhance Educational Efforts
• Develop and Support an Ongoing “Adopt an Area” Program
• Improve Safety and Student Welfare
• Encourage Communication Between Students and Resident

Read the full North of 45th Report and Recommendations (.PDF, 4.2 MB)

The University created the Incident Prevention Team (IPT) to patrol Greek Row and the adjacent neighborhood of University Park

These IPT teams are staffed by two UW Police Department (UWPD) officers and members of the State Liquor Control Board, as needed. Because the area outside of the University of Washington is the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) jurisdiction, the IPTs operate under a mutual aid agreement between SPD and UWPD whereby SPD “invites” UWPD to work in their area of jurisdiction. Again this year, SPD has asked the UWPD to implement the IPTs in the area described above.

Patrols generally operate Thursday through Saturday nights. However, schedules are adjusted throughout the year based on demand and special events.

The Seattle Police Department has suggested that if you see something you wish to report to the police, please use the usual procedures by calling SPD’s non-emergency number to report any loud parties, noise complaints, etc. If it is an emergency, such as a life threatening incident or a serious crime in progress, you should call 911. If you have any questions about the IPTs, please contact Acting UWPD Assistant Chief Richard Lewis at rwlewis@u.washington.edu or 206-685-2550.