19 March 2024
LAWRENCE (KSNT) – The University of Kansas (KU) released statistics on campus crime for 2023. University police say overall crime is decreasing slightly.
The university saw a 1.2% decrease in criminal offenses, according to the report. Last year, KU police took 514 criminal offense reports, down from 520 in 2022. The number of criminal offenses is 13.8% below the 10-year average of 596, according to a press release from KU Police.
While the number of criminal offenses saw a year-on-year decrease, criminal damage reports were at a 10-year high with 157 reports, according to the crime statistics report.
KU Police Chief Nelson Mosley attributed the decrease in criminal reports to having more proactive police patrols.
“Campus safety is a community effort,” Mosley said. “We are fortunate to work with so many people who are dedicated to our students, staff, faculty and visitors at the University of Kansas.”
Criminal property damage and theft make up most of the reported offenses on campus, according to KU Police. “Violent crimes such as robbery and aggravated battery were also reported but were a smaller percentage of the overall crime total,” the press release stated.
The KU Police shared some crime prevention tips:
Secure all items when leaving.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Walk in groups.
When drinking alcohol, do so legally and responsibly.
If you’d like to anonymously submit a tip to KU Crime Stoppers, you can call 785-864-8888. If you’re interested in attending a KU Police training session on alcohol education, de-escalation, active shooters and other topics, contact KU Police at 785-864-5900.
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