Good news for student drivers: Motor vehicle theft on campus has significantly dropped since a surge in 2022-23, according to the annual Crime and Safety Report.
On the heels of the coronavirus pandemic, when campus was less populated, UP saw an unprecedented increase in motor vehicle theft on campus and adjacent public property, according to Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Mike McNerney.
20 car theft incidents were reported in 2022 and 11 in 2023.
Now, the latest report showed only one incident for the 2024 calendar year.
“We're back to what I would call the status quo,” McNerney said. “I would say historically, one to two [cases] a year was our norm.”
Following the sudden surges, Campus Safety implemented what’s known as “natural surveillance” to deter vehicle crime.
To do so, Campus Safety hired students as parking enforcement “officers” to increase the presence of watchful individuals in the parking lots during the day, when most of the crimes occurred, according to McNerney.
While McNerney says a variety of factors contributed to the reduction, including the Portland Police Bureau's emphasis on curbing vehicle-related crimes in Portland, he believes the surveillance strategy played a large role in leveling out vehicle theft at UP.
“I think it's hard to walk across our campus without seeing somebody who looks like they're supposed to be keeping an eye on things during the day,” McNerney said. “Now, students are helping us really maintain that presence in parking lots.”
Campus Safety intends to continue these parking enforcement programs.
View of the main parking lot in front of Clark Library.
The Crime and Safety Report is published annually. Under the Clery Act, all universities and colleges that receive federal funding are legally required to disclose their campus’ safety findings.
Despite uncertainty that the act will be enforced at the federal level, Campus Safety assures that they will continue to publish the reports, according to McNerney and Vice President for Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence Alvin Sturdivant.
UP’s report includes only crimes that meet specific criteria and have been formally reported to Campus Safety officers.
Additionally, the report accounts for incidents that take place on property owned by UP. This includes campus grounds, nearby sidewalks, parking lots, university-owned housing and any properties managed by student organizations. It does not, however, cover private residences, even if they are rented by UP students.
While vehicle theft may be down, McNerney urges students to continue protecting their cars.
Campus Safety continues to see a higher vulnerability around early 2000s Hyundais and Hondas because of the particularity of their locking systems, according to McNerney.
“We strongly recommend that if somebody has a type of vehicle that police are saying, ‘This gets stolen a lot,’ invest in a club or one of the brake locking mechanisms,” McNerney said. “That can be a really helpful way to make sure your car doesn't wander off on you.”
Kaylee Monahan is the Copy and Opinions Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at monahan26@up.edu.
