OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Security was tighter Friday night on the Johnson County Community College campus.

Fifteen police officers took an oath to serve and protect.

The new officers will carry guns and will patrol campus in three new cruisers.

With recent school shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois, many feel it's important to step up security on local campuses.

"If it comes right down to somebody's personal safety, I think with the equipment that we have now, I think we can respond better," said Deputy Chief Larry Dixon.

Dixon and many of the other officers came out of retirement to join the new police department.

More than 40,000 people visit the campus on any given day, school officials said.

"We felt it was important to be prepared for the worst but always hope for the best," said college President Terry Calaway.

Some students said they like the idea of having armed police officers around.

Andrew Norris, a JCCC freshman, said, "Having them here doesn't do anything but make me feel more secure."