The Vanderbilt Medical Center recently expanded its clinics into the 100 Oaks outdoor shopping center in South Nashville, bringing with it thousands of new patrons and workers to the center. The Vanderbilt community views the new expansion of the medical center as a satellite of the Vanderbilt campus, and the university has therefore assumed the responsibility of security in the area.

Now, rather than having local mall security, the Vanderbilt University Police Department provides constant armed patrol of the area to ensure the safety of their patients and other members of the Nashville community. Not only has the clinic benefited from increased security, but local merchants have also noticed a drastic difference in the atmosphere. In addition to watching the medical center, the VUPD also patrols the parking lot and periodically enters shops to check the area or danger.

"They're right here and come really fast," said storeowner Ronald Gooch in an interview with Nashville's NewsChannel 5.

Now that there are police officers in the area at all times with arrest powers that some security guards lack, response times for local crime are drastically lower.

The VUPD has arrested one store employee for stealing funds and issued 29 misdemeanor citations for shoplifting. Additionally, five traffic citations were issued, mostly for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Although the VUPD has yet to face serious felonies, mall patrons are reassured by their presence.

"I noticed right away when I came in," said shopper Mary Diehl to NewsChannel 5. "I saw Vanderbilt patrols out there (that) I hadn't noticed before."

Vanderbilt officers hope to offer more security in the 100 Oaks shopping center, including parking lot safety and self-defense classes. They also hope to expand their forces in the area to include bicycle cops.