MADISON, Wis. -- After only six short months in action, a University of Wisconsin-Madison campus safety plan is being hailed a success by some community members.

Members of the UW Greek community primarily live on Langdon Street. In recent months, those members have been keeping a watchful eye at night, WISC-TV reported.

"Mainly this past semester and for the beginning of the semester, we've been focusing on just providing a highly visible role on Langdon Street, hoping to deter crime a little bit," said Interfraternity Council vice president Drew Willert.

The effort started as a way to help prevent the increasing number of attacks, Willert said. Students began by volunteering for four-hour shifts beginning at 11 p.m.

After several months, organizers realized the most visibility was needed after bar time. Now, volunteers walk until 3 p.m. on weekends, WISC-TV reported.

The program has since expanded beyond the university's Greek system to a full-on safety campaign.

"Every time someone participates, they'll influence five of the people around them and affect the personal safety of the people around them so it's been great," said neighborhood Officer Tony Fiore.

The new personal safety signs will go in lawns along Langdon Street. Organizers said that the hope is to broaden numbers in the program beyond the 12 Greek organizations already participating.

"I definitely have heard of so many instances on campus that it has made me personally feel unsafe a lot of times," said Gamma Phi Beta president Claire Prendergast. "We take a lot of action to prevent that from happening to us or anyone we know."

"They're great young leaders, great organizations and they've really contributed," said Fiore. "I couldn't be thankful enough for their support and coming out here and giving up Friday and Saturday nights and looking out for their neighbors and guests on Langdon Street."

Some students said that they believe it's made a difference.

"We think that just by having a presence there and promoting awareness, it will help some people maybe think twice about it," said Willert.

The group has also created a Web site with more information on personal safety. The site also has information for anyone interested in volunteering for the night walks, WISC-TV reported.