KU Office of Public Safety

Theft, one of the most prevalent crimes on the Kansas University campus, was at a 10-year low in 2015, according to KU police crime statistics released Thursday.

Meanwhile drug offenses, the other most prevalent campus crime, marked another 10-year high.

KU Office of Public Safety leaders say more closed-circuit security cameras and security officers are helping them keep a closer eye on campus.

“The university administration has been very supportive of the increased use of technology, but employing more people to provide a security presence or actively patrol campus is also very helpful,” Interim Chief of Police Chris Keary said in a news release from KU.

The university continues to expand the use of cameras and increase the number of security staff, including the addition of new security officers to the department in August 2015 to help KU Housing with security duties in three new residential facilities — McCarthy, Self and Oswald halls — according to the news release.

KU police counted 175 theft reports on campus in 2015, down from 239 thefts in 2014, according to the newly released campus crime statistics.

Police counted 186 narcotics offenses in 2015, up from 177 in 2014.

Criminal damage to property also dropped notably to 90 reports in 2015, compared with 130 in 2014.

Overall, KU police handled 757 crimes in 2015, down 9 percent from 834 crimes in 2014, according to the statistics. All but a handful — five driving while intoxicated and one fraud — occurred on campus proper.

Violent crimes, defined by the FBI as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, were down in all categories and remained less than 1 percent of all criminal offenses reported, according to a news release from KU.

There were no murders, no rapes, one robbery and three aggravated assaults on campus in 2015, according to the statistics.

There were a total of four sex offenses reported in 2015: two fondling, one peeping tom and one sodomy, according to the statistics. In 2014, there were seven sex offenses reported: three fondling, three rape and one sodomy.

“While reported crime is down, it is still vital that everyone in the KU community understand that crime does happen on campus, and everyone should do their part to stop it,” Keary said in the news release. “Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings, lock your doors and report any suspicious activity or crimes that occur.”

The crime statistics released this week include only crimes reported to KU police. The broader and more comprehensive Clery report, required by federal law and released each fall, includes offenses reported on or near the campus to KU police, other law enforcement and university officials.