KU Police Department releases 2023 crime data for Lawrence campus

LAWRENCE — Reported crimes were down last year at the University of Kansas' Lawrence campus, according to statistics released today by the KU Police Department.

KU Police took reports of 514 criminal offenses on campus in 2023, which is a 1.2% decrease from the 520 criminal offenses taken in 2022. When looking at the 10-year average of 596 criminal offenses, the 2023 number is 13.8% below the average number of reported crimes.     

Property crimes, such as theft and criminal damage to property, continue to make up the greatest number of offenses reported on campus. Violent crimes such as robbery and aggravated battery were also reported but were a smaller percentage of the overall crime total.

KU Police Chief Nelson Mosley credits the decrease in reported crimes to more proactive patrols despite lower staffing levels and working with university partners to address their specific needs. 

“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.”

The university strives to be transparent and inform the community accurately about crime statistics on or near campus. The disclosure of crime statistics in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) — often referred to as the Clery Report — may differ from the crime statistics disclosed by the KU Police Department. These differences are the result of the following:

• The classification of crimes in the ASFSR uses the Uniform Crime Reporting system. The KU Police Department uses state and local statutes to classify crimes.
• The crime statistics listed in the ASFSR are collected from a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, campus police, Title IX, campus security authorities, local police departments, etc. KU Police Department statistics record only crimes that were reported directly to the department.
• Locations adjacent to, but not part of, the Lawrence campus — such as apartments and sorority and fraternity houses — are served by the Lawrence Police Department.

KU Police Department crime statistics for the last 10 years are available on the department’s website.

The KU Police Department would like to share a few crime prevention reminders: Secure all items when leaving them no matter the timeframe you will be gone. Always be aware of your surroundings. Walk in groups, and when you go somewhere with friends, make sure you have a plan to come back together. When consuming alcohol, do so legally and responsibly and not to excess. Please remember that if you see something, say something. KU Crime Stoppers also takes anonymous tips at 785-864-8888.

The KU Police Department uses a variety of social media platforms, such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), to communicate with the Lawrence campus community regarding crime trends, crime prevention tips and general information. The department also provides training sessions on alcohol education, de-escalation and active shooters, among many other topics. Campus groups or individuals interested in any training topic can contact the KU Police Department at 785-864-5900 to schedule a session.