Content warning: This story contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.

Crime reports to University of Maryland Police increased by 90 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to its 2023 Annual Security Report, which was released earlier this semester.

The report, which details all crimes reported to UMPD and its security plans for the upcoming year, showed that this university’s crime rate is about 7 crimes per 1,000 people.

The report only includes reports of crimes on campus and adjacent to campus. Here are three key takeaways.

E-scooter theft rises

Motor vehicle theft reports more than doubled from 2022 to 2023, according to the 2023 report.

The increase primarily stemmed from a rise in e-scooter thefts, which fall under motor vehicle thefts. An analysis by The Diamondback showed that e-scooters and electric bikes made up 67 percent of motor vehicle thefts in 2023.

[UMPD reports more than 70 e-scooter thefts since Sept. 1]

In an Oct. 19 campuswide email, UMPD said that it has seen a rapid increase in e-scooter thefts just this academic year. 

The Diamondback reported earlier this week that UMPD has seen more than 70 e-scooters thefts since Sept. 1, in line with trends seen last year.

Some students who own e-scooters said losing their transportation would have a big impact on their day-to-day lives and make getting to campus more difficult.

“I’d have to make room and adjust my entire schedule,” Tanveer Singh, a junior information science major and e-scooter user,said. 

Singh hasn’t had his e-scooter stolen but has had items attached to his vehicle stolen, he said.

UMPD spokesperson Lt. Rosanne Hoaas said unattended vehicles and improper use of bike locks make people more vulnerable to micromobility theft.

“Because of their ease of portability, it’s important for users to understand what the maker of their e-scooter has advised on how to secure it,” Hoaas said.

Most reports of rape occur in dorms

Reports of rape increased by 31 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to the Annual Security Report. 

According to the report, 25 instances of rape were reported to UMPD or other “university resources” — including the civil rights and sexual misconduct and Campus Advocates Respond and Educate to Stop Violence offices — last year, while 19 were reported in 2022. Eighty-four percent of reports last year occurred in dorms, according to The Diamondback’s analysis.

The increase in reports of rape mean more people feel safe asking for resources, Hoaas said. She added that UMPD understands that it can be frightening for students to report an instance of rape to law enforcement.

“It tells us that people are coming forward and more comfortable reporting,” Hoaas said.

Freshman cell biology major Christina Argyros said the overwhelming number of reports in dorms was not surprising.

“Usually rape occurs with people who you’re closer with,” Argyros said. “If you’re in someone’s dorm room and you think it’s causal, or you guys are just hanging out, it can really quickly turn into something dangerous.”

Resident Life wrote in a statement that on-campus sexual misconduct reports are a “serious concern.” The department “actively partners with many stakeholders on campus to educate students and help prevent sexual assault and other forms of power-based violence,” the statement said.

Fewer students reported for liquor-related offenses last year

Alcohol-related disciplinary referrals declined by 65 percent from 2021 to 2023.

Sophomore information science major David Nsolo said he was surprised by the decrease in violations since some see drinking as a part of campus culture.

[UMPD traffic stops for micromobility vehicles return for fall 2024 semester]

According to the report, most referrals occurred in dorms. 

In a statement to The Diamondback, Resident Life said because of the number of on-campus residents, it is “not surprising the majority of alcohol-related referrals would come from on-campus housing locations.”

Hoaas said the reason behind the decrease is unclear, as many factors could have contributed to it, but added that the university has promoted safety and awareness about alcohol.