Days after the downtown murder of 21 year old Brittany Zimmermann, safety on the U-W campus is being heightened. On campus, safety organizations are noticing the overall feeling of safety seems to have declined since Wednesday.

"It's gotten incredibly hectic," says Safe Walk employee, Chelsea Riley. "I would say which is definitely a good thing."

Safe Walk, a student run safety peer service, takes calls from students looking for someone to walk with in the downtown area to ensure their safety. And now their services are needed more than ever.

"Before the incident we were averaging about seven walks per night. Now we are averaging about 23 walks."

Armed with their flashlights in hand and Safe Walk uniforms, students can escort those requesting their help to their next destination. Phones are answered from 8 at night till 3 the next morning.

"It begins with a call to our dispatch," says UW transportation administrator, Gordon Graham. "At that point the name identification number and a contact number is taken by the dispatcher and for our walk we dispatch two individuals at a time."

These services are free of students to anyone on campus. Safe Walk employees want to make everyone aware that they are available at times when a person's safety could be in jeopardy.

"We kind of try to be the eyes and ears for the community at night," says Riley.

To contact SafeWalk call 608-262-5000.