The APSU Police Department released the Clery Act Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for 2016 on Thursday, Sept. 29. It shows a decrease in reported crimes and an increase in arrests and referrals from 2014 to 2015.
Eighteen crimes were reported on the main campus during 2015: three cases of fondling, one case of statutory rape, one case of aggravated assault, four cases of burglary, two cases of motor vehicle theft, four cases of domestic violence and three cases of stalking. Twenty-five crimes were reported on the main campus in 2014, and 24 were reported in 2013.
There were seven arrests on the main campus in 2015, including six drug law violations and one illegal weapons possession. One person was arrested on the main campus in 2014, and seven were arrested in 2013.
Forty-nine criminal referrals came from the main campus: 23 liquor law violations, 25 drug law violations and an illegal weapons possession. Thirty-nine criminal referrals came from the main campus in 2014, with 35 in 2013.
“When it comes to arrests and referrals of alcohol and drug violations, it normally means that we received more calls about this type of activity from the Housing staff this year than the previous years,” Director of Public Safety Michael Kasitz said.
No hate crimes were reported on the main campus, and there were no reported crimes or arrests of any category on the Fort. Campbell, Springfield or Dickson campuses. These results are consistent from 2013 to 2015.
The report also shows record of any fires in APSU residence halls. From 2013 through 2015, no fires have been reported in housing.
“From my perspective, we have a pretty safe campus, but that does not mean we are immune from crime,” Kasitz said. “[Campus] is as safe as you make it. If you take away the opportunity for someone to commit a crime, then our crime stays low.”
Kasitz said he recommends walking in groups, staying aware of the surroundings, making sure items are not left unattended and keeping living spaces locked to reduce the likelihood of crime.
The Clery Act was signed in 1990 as a result of the rape and murder of Jeanne Clery in her residence hall at Lehigh University in 1986. It requires all colleges and universities with federal financial aid programs to disclose records of campus crime each year. Failure to do so may result in fines of up to $35,000 per violation, according to the Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting.
For more information on campus safety procedures, and crime statistics, see the entire report below.
