USC on Thursday asked Columbia police to help university officers combat violent crimes on and around campus.

The university has been hit by a spate of crimes recently, including the discovery of a student who had five handguns and other weapons in his dormitory room.

Columbia police Chief Randy Scott said he will direct officers who patrol campus environs to be more attentive to activity and to keep closer tabs on people they encounter, especially late at night.

“We will increase the FCCs (field contact cards) and we will share that with USC (police department),” Scott said. A field contact card is a written report that officers submit when they stop and talk to people. The cards include names, physical descriptions and other information the person provides as well as times and dates. The cards can become leads if a crime occurs in the area, including the nearby Five Points entertainment district.

USC spokesman Wes Hickman said Scott was invited to a high-level meeting Thursday of university leaders who are seeking ways to improve campus security.

Hickman said the university was not specifically asking for more patrols but wants to work more closely with Columbia police. “This is an expression of concern for the things that have been going on as of late.”

Scott said the department does not have the personnel to dedicate more officers to help USC police. But he agreed to have his officers be more watchful in those areas and to write and share more contact cards.

That will start immediately, Scott said.

Reach LeBlanc at (803) 771-8664.