Local police at full force during break

During spring break when the buzz of the thousands of students on the streets comes to a lull, local police forces are far from bored.

Sgt. Denise Brotherton said instead of having their own break, the Iowa City Police Department simply shifts its focus. And with the weather warming up, Brotherton said while most students aren't downtown for the week, activity across the community often increases.

“It has slowed down a little bit, but we may see an increase in other activities,” she said.

With incidents like the car burglaries by three Cedar Rapids teens who were arrested early Wednesday morning, Brotherton said the police may have to focus on monitoring neighborhoods more to ensure empty residences aren't being bothered.

Though the bar traffic may slow, more juvenile activity often keep police eyes just as busy, Brotherton said,

University of Iowa Public Safety Director Chuck Green said spring break for their department is just as busy as ever.

But with less students occupying buildings, Green said weeks like this can be excellent opportunities to train new officers.

“The comings and goings of people may change, but we do not change what we do.”

Though the department still has responsibilities in maintaining a safe campus, having a smaller population could garner less calls since their is less of a chance of incidents occurring, Green said.

“We're still really busy, even if their is a shift in focus” he added.