As the Marquette University Police Department marks 11 years as a commissioned police force, MUPD continues to build on recent safety initiatives, prioritizing a secure environment and resources that allow students, faculty and staff to focus on learning, living and working.
New this school year, the Marquette University Police Department launched a traffic enforcement unit devoting officers, equipment and training resources to mitigate reckless driving in and around campus.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit began June 1, 2025, and over its first 11 months (through April 28, 2026), the new unit has initiated 624 traffic stops, a 40% increase over the same period the year prior. Traffic citations increased 41% from 314 in 2024-25 to 442 in 2025-26. Operating while intoxicated arrests increased 81% from 21 in 2024-25 versus 38 in 2025-26.
“MUPD is committed to the safety of our community, and this new unit has certainly aided in our ongoing pedestrian safety efforts,” MUPD Chief Edith Hudson says. “College campuses are pedestrian focused spaces, and with a small investment in speed detection equipment and additional officer training, we are making strides in mitigating reckless driving in and around our campus. Our goal is to create an effective deterrence to reckless driving in our community and ultimately change dangerous traffic behaviors.”
Fast facts by the numbers:
Here are some ways the university has made safety a top priority:
- 68 – Public safety professionals, including 48 fully commissioned MUPD law enforcement officers
- 15,000-plus — Marquette students, faculty, staff and parents served by MUPD’s dedicated safety alert notification system
- 1,219 — Security cameras installed throughout campus
- 450 – Blue Light phones connect immediately to MUPD
- 125,350-plus — EagleExpress rides completed this school year, from Aug. 1, 2025, through April 28, 2026.
MUPD continues to offer many resources to students, faculty and staff to help keep our campus safe:
MUPD offers tips to increase safety and security on campus and in our surrounding community at the start of each academic year. For a comprehensive list of safety tips, visit the MUPD Safety Tips website.
MUPD offers several free self-defense classes every semester to students, faculty and staff. The free self-defense program uniquely combines a hands-on approach to learning effective techniques with information about the latest national and local crime trends.
MUPD is offering several free personal security awareness training classes. This training class reviews the steps one can take to limit exposure to personal and environmental security risks.
It is the only app that integrates with Marquette University’s safety and security systems. The EagleEye app hosts many Marquette safety resources, and anyone — including parents and neighbors — can download it via the App Store or Google Play.
The EagleExpress service offers free rides 365 days a year to keep members of the Marquette community safe at night.
During academic breaks, MUPD offers its Vacant House Watch program to students residing in the near-off-campus neighborhood.
When a crime or incident is reported that poses a threat to campus, MUPD, in conjunction with other university departments, issues safety alerts through text messages and emails to Marquette students, faculty and staff.
This story originally appeared on Marquette Today, Nov. 12, 2025, and has been updated.
