By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
photo | Inside Southern
Group of students with K-9 Brody and Jules on the cover of the newly released campus crime statistics.
The annual Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Statistics for 2024 was released on Oct. 1. Reports showed data from 2021-2023.
The most eye-catching data was found with motor vehicle theft, campus liquor law violations referred for disciplinary action and drug abuse violations referred for disciplinary action, as there was an increase in cases.
On campus liquor and residential facility liquor law violations tripled to 65 in 2023, from 21 in 2021. Similarly, on campus and residential facility drug abuse violations rose by 27, with 35 violations in 2023.
Chief of Police Makiem Miller said that this new increase in numbers are a reflection of the campus returning full-time since the pandemic.
In 2017, on-campus liquor law violations were 221, while drug abuse violations were at 60 in 2018.
“You can see we are going back into full school academic years on campus since COVID,” Miller said “Numbers are still lower than pre-COVID, but you can still see the rise.”
New marijuana laws that were enacted in 2022 can also influence these statistics.
“Marijuana used to be an illegal drug. Now, it is only considered a violation,” Miller said.
According to Miller, marijuana is the mostcommon drug that is caught in drug abuse cases. Students must abide by certain rules in order to smoke legally, as an ounce and a half is permitted and anything packaged for sale is prohibited.
Drug and liquor abuse arrests were both at 0 in 2023.
Miller said that this is credited to arrests being their last resort.
“Violations are the go-to because we don’t want to put it on students’ records,” Miller said.
Liquor abuse violations occur in most cases with underage drinking in dry dorms or those of the legal drinking age selling it to underage students.
Miller commends the Office of Residence Life for supervising residences in liquor violation cases.
“Residence Life has a nice structure. Their organization is good with supervision,” Miller said.
Motor vehicle theft rose to 11 in 2023 from 0 in 2022 and 2021 and weapon law violations rose to 1 in 2023.
Despite these increases, other categories’ statistics also show steady rates.
Rape has remained at 2 since 2022 while domestic violence remains at 0 from 2021.
Miller said that rape statistics only show those that come forward.
“This is a positive because due to more services and confidentiality for students, now victims have more confidence to come forward,” Miller said.
Stalking is down to 1 and dating violence decreased to 0 in 2023 from 3 in 2022.
Miller said he is proud that stalking has decreased from its previous rates of 11 in 2019.
“Social media is a big thing, and people are posting their location now. I’m glad it’s going down,” Miller said.
