Westchester University submits comprehensive master plan for campus updates and housing expansion

The recent public safety meeting held by the Borough of West Chester on May 14, 2025, highlighted several key issues affecting the community, particularly in relation to crime statistics, noise complaints, and the ongoing collaboration with West Chester University.

During the meeting, police reports indicated a stable trend in calls for service, with no significant outliers compared to previous months. However, the borough experienced another homicide attempt, linked to an officer-involved shooting that occurred in April. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about public safety in the area. Additionally, noise complaints have seen a notable concentration in the Southeast region of the borough, with 31 complaints recorded in April, resulting in four citations. The police department is actively addressing these issues by submitting disruptive conduct forms to the building and housing department for each citation issued.

A significant development discussed was the introduction of a new social worker, set to begin on June 2. This addition aims to enhance community support services, reflecting a commitment to improving public safety through collaborative efforts among borough departments.

In another segment of the meeting, Justin Robbins, director of operations for Good Fellowship, reported a total of 602 calls for service in April, with a slight decrease in calls from the university. The upcoming National EMS Week was also highlighted, with an invitation for community members to attend an open house on May 20.

A major topic of discussion was the West Chester University campus master plan update, which is currently under review by the borough. This comprehensive plan outlines proposed changes to the campus, including housing, instructional space, and traffic management. The university aims to increase on-campus housing to accommodate at least 50% of its undergraduate population, which currently falls short. The plan includes the construction of a new dormitory to help meet this goal, although concerns were raised about the potential impact of increased student enrollment on the borough.

The meeting concluded with discussions about the revitalization of South High Street, where the university has expressed interest in acquiring properties to support future improvements. While no commitments have been made yet, the potential for collaboration between the university and the borough remains a focal point for enhancing the community's infrastructure.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of ongoing communication and cooperation between local government, law enforcement, and educational institutions in addressing public safety and community development challenges. As the borough prepares for further discussions and reviews, residents can anticipate updates on these critical issues in the coming months.