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Consider a Memorandum of Understanding for the Harrisonburg Police Department and the James Madison University Police Department to expand concurrent jurisdiction
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Presented By: City Attorney Brown
Recommendation and Review
On April 11, 2003, the Harrisonburg Police Department and the James Madison University Police Department (collectively referred to as "Departments") entered into an agreement of concurrent jurisdiction. The agreement permitted officers of the James Madison University Police Department to patrol areas of the City that neighbor the campus of James Madison University as well as residential areas with a substantial population of JMU students. The agreement defined these areas as the "Cooperative Patrol Area". These collectively patrolled areas allowed offers in the Departments to respond to public safety issues and order maintenance problems more efficiently, increasing the safety and quality of life for City residents and visitors.
While this agreement is still in effect, the Departments have proposed expanding the Cooperative Patrol Area City-wide due to a considerable increase in student population and the correlative expansion of areas within the City in which students reside.
The attached Memorandum of Understanding depicts the suggested Cooperative Patrol Area and restates the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the Departments. The Petition and Order, also attached, will be filed with the Rockingham County Circuit Court if the Memorandum of Understanding is approved by City Council and executed by the respective parties.