News Summary
The University of South Florida’s annual security report reveals troubling trends in campus safety, including a doubling of stalking incidents and a significant rise in motor vehicle thefts. This year’s report indicates a 60% increase in thefts, primarily involving e-scooters and bicycles, alongside rises in arrests related to drugs and weapons. As safety awareness becomes increasingly crucial, the university emphasizes proactive measures for enhancing student safety.
Tampa – The University Police (UP) at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa released its 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report on Monday, revealing concerning trends in campus safety. Notably, the report highlights a significant increase in incidents of stalking and motor vehicle theft on the campus compared to the previous year.
The statistics indicate a doubling of reported stalking incidents, with 18 cases noted in 2024 compared to 9 in 2023 and 8 in 2022. All stalking occurrences happened on campus, with two specifically in residential areas, although precise locations were not made public. Furthermore, the report outlines a 60% rise in motor vehicle thefts, jumping from 109 cases in 2023 to 175 in 2024. A majority of these thefts, specifically 170 cases, involved electric scooters or bicycles. The increase in these reported thefts follows the inclusion of such vehicles in the safety report due to Clery Act requirements.
The report also states that the university prohibits e-scooters in buildings and mandates that they be secured at bike racks to mitigate fire and accessibility hazards.
In addition to stalking and motor vehicle theft, the report noted a total of 216 arrests in 2024, which is a rise from 138 arrests in 2023. Of these arrests, 21 were related to weapons, 187 to drugs, and 8 to alcohol-related offenses. The data on domestic violence cases showed an increase as well, rising to 8 incidents in 2024 from 6 the previous year, with 3 of these incidents occurring on campus and 5 classified as public properties defined as adjacent thoroughfares.
The report documented four incidents of rape in 2024, representing an increase from two cases reported in 2023, with three occurring on campus and one on public property. Robbery cases saw a rise from 4 in 2023 to 6 in 2024, with two occurring on campus and four in public areas. Alarmingly, the report also notes two murders were recorded in 2024, one of which occurred in a residential area on campus, and another off-campus. The specifics involved the death of a USF student in Endeavor Hall linked to a fentanyl-related incident and the off-campus shooting of a rapper.
While incidents of aggravated assault remained unchanged at 6 in both 2024 and 2023, statistics for dating violence and burglary saw decreases. Dating violence cases dropped from 10 to 5, and burglary incidents fell from 3 to 2.
This annual security report complies with federal regulations, including the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Higher Education Act/Higher Education Opportunity Act. To support safety improvement efforts, UP encourages students to register their bicycles through their Property Registration Program, which can facilitate recovery in the event of theft. The report emphasizes ongoing safety measures and the importance of effective communication during emergencies.
As these trends underscore the challenges of maintaining safety on campus, university officials continue to advocate for awareness and vigilance among students, ensuring that everyone remains informed and prepared.
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Additional Resources
- USF Report Reveals Surges in Stalking and Theft
- Google Search: USF Annual Security Report
- Bradenton News: USF Crime Report
- Wikipedia: Stalking
- Fox 13 News: USF Football Player Arrested
- Google News: University of South Florida Crime Incidents
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