UGA announces $1.7 million investment in campus safety after Laken Riley Act signed into law

Nearly a year after an Augusta University nursing student’s tragic death on UGA’s campus, President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law

The legislation promises stricter immigration policies and came as the University of Georgia announced a $1.7 million investment in additional campus safety improvements.

UGA officials remain focused on campus safety

What we know:

Last year, the University of Georgia invested more than $7 million into campus safety improvements including perimeter fencing, upgraded lighting, more security cameras, license plate readers and additional emergency call stations in response to Laken Riley’s death.

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On Wednesday, President Jere Morehead pledged another $1.7 toward campus security upgrades.

Morehead said the additional funding will go toward the purchase of more emergency call stations, added fencing and new technology improvements for the UGA Police Department.

In an address to the school community, the university president said UGA has invested a total of $23 million into campus safety enhancements over the last eight years.

Laken Riley's murder

The backstory:

22-year-old Laken Riley was killed in February 2024 while jogging on UGA’s campus.

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Laken Riley

The perpetrator, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was in the U.S. illegally and had multiple arrests and releases prior to the murder. He was convicted and sentenced to life without parole in November 2024.

Ibarra’s case highlighted issues within the immigration system, including instances of individuals being released while awaiting immigration court proceedings despite previous arrests.

Supporters, including Trump, have used the tragedy to emphasize their view that stricter immigration enforcement is necessary to prevent similar crimes.

UGA students welcome added campus safety measures

What they're saying:

UGA Freshman Jamie Markowski wasn’t a student when the attack happened, but says safety is always in the back of her mind as a young woman on campus.

She was glad to hear about the university pledging additional funding for campus safety projects. 

"It’s definitely comforting, because as a student, one of your last worries should be safety. You’re here to, like, learn and get a degree."

Riley’s horrific attack is one many on UGA’s campus still think about.  

"It was really a tragedy," student John David Lindsey told Fox 5.

He said he was also pleased to see the university continue efforts to increase security on campus.

"As a student, it makes me feel safer," he added.

The Source: Information for the above story came from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports. Data and information from the University of Georgia’s 2025 State of the University Address was also used in this report. 

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