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In a move designed to upgrade safety in the University City area and create a stronger presence on the 40th Street corridor, the University police have relocated to state-of-the-art public safety headquarters on Chestnut Street near 40th.

The two-story, 25,700 square-foot facility at 4026-4040 Chestnut St. houses the three divisions that comprise the Public Safety Division. They are the University Police, which includes both patrol and investigative units; Special Services, which provides victim support, crime prevention and related safety services; and Security Services, which includes security technology and guard services. The Public Safety Division had previously been spread over four separate buildings.

The core of the facility will be a command, control and communications center that will centralize all police and security technology communications.

"This new facility provides us with a state-of-the-art command and control center to monitor conditions both on and off campus, and will bring together all elements of our safety program," said Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon. "Further, it provides Public Safety personnel with a modern headquarters to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness."

The new headquarters will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.