West Virginia University Police reported fewer arrests for violations of liquor and drug laws in the latest annual federally mandated Clery Report, which covers 2013-2015.

“Our crime rate is considerably lower than our peer institutions and this fact can be attributed to our local area and community that we serve,” Chief Bob Roberts said. “Crime rates are normally a reflection of the community and the police in partnership. When police are proactive and their community is engaged in preventing and reporting crimes, then we see safer communities.”

Arrests for liquor law violations declined from 700 in 2013 to 227 in 2015; referrals – violations with no arrest and handled by WVU’s judicial system – decreased over the period from 1,942 to 1,532.

Drug arrests went from 210 to 197 and referrals from 273 to 210.

Other key areas that saw reduction were:

• Burglaries, from 16 in 2013 to 15.

• Robberies, from four to two.

• Thefts, which are not required to be included in the Clery report, declined from 180 to 147.

Although small, there were increases in dating and domestic violence, up from nine to 30. However, UPD attributed the increase to efforts to raise awareness through the University’s It’s On Us campaign, one of only three such programs singled out in a recent report to the White House.

Sexual offenses rose from 10 to 11 in the three-year period.

-WVU-

cb/09/29/16

CONTACT: University Police
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