ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
On Monday the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Institute of Technology unveiled a car that is conducting joint patrols of the campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
The $37,000 2011 Dodge Charger Enforcer II was made possible by generous donations and a corporate-community partnership of the Midtown Alliance, North American Properties and the Atlanta Police Foundation.
"This car's distinctive look and high visibility will ensure that students, business owners and residents alike can rest assured that the Atlanta Police Department and Georgia Tech Police Department are true partners in preventing crime," said Atlanta Police Chief George Turner.
Mayor Kasim Reed wants parents to know the recent crimes against Georgia Tech students are a high priority.
"We have a problem, and we've got to be more aggressive. We want to send a message to every single parent who has a child here that it (recent crime) has the attention at the highest level," said Reed.
One victim who was recently robbed at gunpoint hopes this new initiative makes a difference.
"I think if people know there are a lot of policemen around the area then maybe the students won't be targeted. I think that's what's happening. The students are being targeted," said Reagan Charney.
Someone robbed Charney on June 23 while she was walking home.
"He looked like a student. He looked like he was clean; that's why I disregarded him at first. I saw him before he robbed me. I just thought he was another student," Charney said.
"We clearly want it to stop. It's very troubling. It's unacceptable. We're very concerned about it when it happens on campus," said Bud Peterson, Georgia Tech president.
In addition to increased patrols, more surveillance cameras are being placed around campus.
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