Rutgers boosts security after football players charged in violent crimes

Rutgers University is increasing its off-campus security presence following the arrest of nine students and former students — many of them football players — in a series of violent crimes.

NorthJersey.com reports that those incidents, combined with the unrelated assault of a female student at the very start of the semester in August, have prompted police to add more officers and hand out window alarms and light timers to 10,000 off-campus students.

Nearly 3,000 cameras are already installed on both the New Brunswick and Piscataway campus.

“The safety and well-being of all members of our community are a priority,” Edwards told the newspaper, and added that new security cameras will be installed and flyers urging residents to be more aware of their safety and surroundings. Students can also ask for an escort to-and-from campus.

Fifteen new recruits will join the 76-member Rutgers University Police Department.

The action comes after 10 people — including five then-members of the football team — were charged earlier this month in a series of crimes. Some were accused of taking part in a series of violent robberies. Others were charged in an attack that broke a Rutgers student's jaw. One former Rutgers football player was accused in both..

Three of the accused pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.