KU releases 2014 crime statistics

LAWRENCE — Crime at the University of Kansas saw a 24 percent increase in 2014, KU’s Public Safety Office announced today with the release of its annual crime statistics.

Public Safety handled 834 criminal offenses during 2014 compared with 670 in 2013, an increase attributed in part to a rise in drug-related offenses in 2014.

Drug offenses went from 107 incidents in 2013 to 177 reported in 2014. Reasons for the increase included a KU Public Safety effort to train KU Student Housing employees to recognize illegal activity and identify drugs.

During investigations, KU police officers have been obtaining search warrants for housing residents who violate the current drug laws. Officers have also seen an increase in drug-related offenses in parking lots.

“Our officers work with the KU Department of Student Housing and keep them informed of current drug trends. The use of technology, and patrolling the parking lots and residence halls, has led to an increase in drug-related violations,” said Ralph Oliver, director of Public Safety.

Violent crime — defined by the FBI as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — remained around 1 percent of all criminal offenses reported.

The KU Public Safety Office provides year-round law enforcement, security, emergency communications and emergency management for the Lawrence campus community.

A complete list of all offenses reported to the department from 2005 to 2014 can be found online.