Paul:  The "town and gown" relationship is always somewhat difficult; especially in a relatively small city with a relatively large University......e.g. Eugene and the U of O.  The economic, cultural and social impacts of a University are always a contentious issue and the U of O/Eugene relationship is no exception. Actually, it's, IMO, a "textbook" example.  

The relationship between the EPD and the rather-newly formed U of O Police Department is no exception...overlapping jurisdictions? consistent standards? who knows?  "watch other people's kids?"  Well, those "other people's kids" constitute the largest single industy in Eugene and account for a huge portion of the city's economy.  So yes, the taxpayers do spend for city police to "what those other people's kids."  I'm guessing the development of the University's own Police Department has saved some taxpayer dollars, but I don't know the impact.  Gary Crum