INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana State Excise Police officers will increase late night and early morning patrols around university and college campuses beginning this weekend.  

The Excise Police say uniformed and plain-clothed officers will patrol residential areas and side streets that border campuses and the parking lots of alcoholic beverage establishment near campuses.

The change comes after the rapes of two Indiana University students inside their off-campus apartment in Bloomington earlier this month. It also comes days after police arrested a man in connection with the slashing of tires on more than 60 vehicles near Purdue University's main campus in West Lafayette.

Excise Police Superintendent Matt Strittmatter says his officers will be watching for criminal activity and suspicious and dangerous behavior.  They'll also work with local law enforcement agencies to make campus areas safer.