By Cameron Crossett

Theft has been the most frequently reported crime on the University of Maryland campus since the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) began collecting statistics in 2023, according to university police, with many cases involving items left unattended in public spaces.

UMD’s campus is open to the public, meaning anyone can enter university grounds without prior authorization. Lt. Rosanne Hoaas, a spokesperson for the University of Maryland Police Department, said this presents a challenge for preventing theft. 

UMPD holds an event at the beginning of each fall semester during new student education that educates students on local resources. 

“The main effort is a year-round education awareness campaign where we meet with new students,” Hoaas said. “We cover a variety of topics including situational awareness and provide resources.” 

NIBRS data shows that between January and August 2025, thefts accounted for most property crimes on campus, with 179 incidents out of 269 total property-related offenses reported. 

There were 444 crimes reported on campus through August, meaning thefts made up roughly 40% of all campus crimes.

Total campus crime reports fell from 592 in 2024, reflecting a sustained campus-wide trend of declining crime since 2023.

The data indicates that thefts, while still a leading category of campus crime, have continued to decline in conjunction with overall reductions in property-related and total crime reports compared to the past two years. 

In 2025, the number of reported thefts decreased by 22 cases from 2023. Reported property crimes showed a similar trend, dropping by 83 incidents from 2024 to 2025.

Campus police are also urging students and faculty to take precautions against motor vehicle theft, which includes golf carts and e-scooters. According to data from the NIBRS, there were seven reported vehicle thefts between January and August this year.

UMPD’s safety campaigns emphasize situational awareness and the importance of properly securing belongings, including locking scooters and e-bikes. UMPD monitors more than 500 surveillance cameras at all times and uses its information analysis unit to identify trends and patterns in campus crime, according to Hoaas.

While theft has long been a persistent concern for university police, Hoaas claims the nature of stolen items has changed over the years. 

“When I started 18 years ago, textbook theft was popular,” Hoaas said. “With the rise of technology, particularly wireless earbuds and smartphones, those have become more commonly reported in student thefts.” 

The actual number of thefts could be higher than official data suggests, according to Robert Brame, a criminology and criminal justice professor at UMD. 

“Thefts are often not reported to the police, and how often they are not reported is a quantity itself that can vary over time from place to place,” Brame said in a statement over email. 

With more than 41,000 students on campus during the fall and spring semesters, UMPD typically sees an increase in reports during the first few weeks of classes, when students are still adjusting to campus life. Reports tend to decrease as students settle into routines and become more familiar with personal safety practices, Hoaas says. 

Some students say they feel safe on campus, despite recent theft reports. Freshman computer science major Ermal Thaqi said he believes the campus remains a safe place and hasn’t experienced theft, but believes it’s important for students to be aware of incidents on campus. 

“I think it’s a good idea to have the [UMPD text alerts] on to know if theft is going on on campus,” Thaqi said. “I feel like that’s important for everyone to know.” 

For Hoass, safety on campus isn’t just about numbers or reports,  it’s about connection. She said the campus police department focuses on building relationships with students and encouraging everyday awareness, in hopes to create a campus culture where prevention comes naturally. 

“It’s about prevention, not just response,” Hoass said. “We want the community to know how to protect themselves and their property.”

Featured Image: Campus police at the University of Maryland campus on Oct. 6, 2025. Photo by Ella Buchanan.