With the return of university students for the start of the fall semester, the Lawrence Police Department will be stepping up its presence in downtown Lawrence and the area around the University of Kansas campus, according to a news release from the department.

The police department said in the release that the increased presence downtown and in the Oread neighborhood would start on Saturday and continue every Saturday night in August, September and much of October. The goal is to educate students, many of whom are new to the community, and prevent crime, not to address any specific criminal activity, the department said.

Officers will engage with students by reminding them to stay safe, use the buddy system and designate a sober driver, the release said. The department also encourages students and their parents to introduce themselves to officers and for students to ask officers for safety tips.

“It’s all part of an effort to help students transition into living safely within the Lawrence community and educate them about the importance of a personal safety plan,” the release said.