KU Public Safety releases 2018 crime data for Lawrence campus

LAWRENCE — Reported crimes are down on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus, according to statistics released today by the KU Public Safety Office.

KU Public Safety took reports of 619 criminal offenses on campus in 2018, which is an 8 percent decrease from 2017 and the lowest number reported in the past 10 years.

Property crimes, such as theft and vandalism, continue to make up the greatest number of offenses reported on campus, but both were down when compared with previous years. Violent crimes — such as rape, aggravated battery and robbery — were also reported, but they were a small percentage of the total.

Despite the decrease, Chief of Police Chris Keary cautioned against complacency by the campus community.  

“Everyone must continue to do their part to make the community safe by reporting all crimes that occur and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity,” Keary said. 

Keary also praised the efforts of community partners to bring awareness of sexual assaults on campus.  

“We know that the sexual assaults reported to us in 2018 were not the only ones that occurred,” he said. “Unfortunately, many are never reported. We will continue to work closely with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center, Institutional Opportunity and Access, and university administration to raise awareness of sexual assaults on campus and direct those affected to the assistance they need.”

Criminal offenses at off-campus locations that were investigated by KU Public Safety rose significantly because KU Public Safety participated in a multi-agency task force to combat underage drinking and the use of fake identification at Lawrence bars, restaurants and liquor stores. The Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control and Lawrence Police Department also participated in the effort.

A complete listing of all criminal offenses reported to the KU Public Office from 2009-2018 is available online.