The University of Utah’s 2019 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is now available with data from 2018. The report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. It also includes information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah.
The report includes one murder—that of Lauren McCluskey, a student-athlete who was killed in October 2018 by Melvin Rowland, with whom she had a brief relationship. Immediately following the tragedy, the university initiated an independent review, which resulted in 30 recommendations to improve campus safety.
Over the past year, the U has completed, or began the process of completing, all 30 of these recommendations. Additionally, the university reinstated its Presidential Task Force on Campus Safety, which announced its safety recommendations in August 2019. The measures focus on training and education, staffing and improved communication processes, and include investments totaling millions of dollars. Among these recommendations was creating a new chief safety officer position to coordinate and oversee safety initiatives on campus. A search to fill this position is currently underway.
Other findings from the report
Aggravated assault numbers decreased by 50%, and motor vehicle thefts decreased by over 60%. Motor vehicle thefts were especially high the previous year due to a serial thief who targeted campus and stole numerous vehicles. The drop in motor vehicle thefts can be attributed to the arrest of this individual.
In 2018, reports of robbery, burglary and simple assault increased. All incidents of robberies resulted in arrests of suspects involved.
Fondling and stalking numbers also increased while reports of rape decreased. The numbers reported reflect individuals, rather than number of incidents. In the case of fondling in 2018, there were two cases with five victims in each case.
About campus safety
SafeU
Initiated through the Presidential Task Force on Campus Safety, SafeU is a centralized and comprehensive campus safety website and awareness campaign. Students and community members can find important information on a range of topics—from how to report a crime to various safety-related and prevention trainings available on campus. Visit safeu.utah.edu for more information.
Public safety resources
The U campus is patrolled 24 hours per day, seven days a week by members of the university’s Department of Public Safety. The department’s officers are fully certified Utah state police officers, and it is backed by a security staff of more than 75 people. In addition to monitoring and responding to alarms, controlling access to university facilities and patrolling campus, the department offers courtesy escort services and can assist those who have locked their keys in their vehicle or who need help jump-starting a car. To request a service, call dispatch at 801-585-COPS (2677). In an emergency, dial 911.
About the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
The Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is created in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, commonly referred to as the Clery Act. The act seeks to standardize campus crime reporting so students, staff, faculty and visitors can learn about institutions’ crime histories.
The U report covers the main campus in Salt Lake City, the Sandy Center, the Graduate Center in St. George, the Bonderman Field Station at Rio Mesa in Grand County, Utah, the Range Creek Field Station in Emery County, Utah, and the Taft-Nicholson Environmental Humanities Center in Montana. The U Asia Campus in Incheon, South Korea, has its own Annual Security Report, which will be available at a later date.
The Department of Public Safety encourages members of the university community to use this report as a guide for safe practices on and off campus. Each member of the university community receives an email that describes this report and provides the Department of Public Safety’s web address (dps.utah.edu).
For more information about campus safety or this report, or to obtain a printed copy of this report, please visit the Department of Public Safety at 1735 E. South Campus Drive during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call 801-581-7619. Requests are also accepted by phone at 801-585-2677 during normal business hours.
Questions regarding the report can be directed to the office of the chief of police at chief@dps.utah.edu.