The latest WVU Clery Act report, released Wednesday (Sept. 25), reflects statistics from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023. (WVU Photo)
Following investments in proactive safety measures and messages, the West Virginia University Police Department has released the latest Clery Act report which shows declines in several key crime categories.
“We have taken many steps in recent months to strengthen campus safety and to communicate with our students and other members of the University community about available services and resources,” Chief Sherry St. Clair said.
“Our highest priority is maintaining a safe campus for our students, faculty, staff, visitors and neighbors, and we work hard each day to build and maintain a culture of safety.”
This year’s report reflects statistics from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023.
See the full Clery Act report.
In 2023, decreases were recorded for reported rapes, fondlings, aggravated assaults, burglaries, drug abuse arrests and citations, drug abuse referrals and liquor law referrals compared with the previous year.
A summary of crime and fire safety for the WVU Morgantown Campus, Health Sciences — Eastern Division, Health Sciences — Charleston Division, and School of Nursing — Bridgeport Campus, the annual Clery Act report covers the number of reported crimes, as defined in the federal Clery Act, but not investigation outcomes.
Requests for paper copies of the report can be submitted by phone at 304-293-2677 (COPS) or 304-293-3136, by mail to 992 Elmer Prince Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505-3136, or in person at WVU Police Headquarters located at the same address.
As in previous years, the report includes crime statistics provided by outside police agencies statewide that have jurisdiction on Clery geography which, in addition to on-campus locations, includes public property within or immediately adjacent to campus, and in or on noncampus buildings or property that WVU owns or controls.
“We have excellent cooperation from our local partners, including WVU Hospitals Security and Morgantown Police,” St. Clair said. “We appreciate the time and attention other police agencies provide in reporting incidents to us each year for inclusion in the report.”
Along with publishing the report, WVU Police officers are working to enhance safety and raise awareness about certain crimes, including the following:
• Fraudulent and harassing scams, including cases of sextortion, which involve victims reporting that someone is threatening to distribute private and sensitive material, if payment demands are not met
Members of the University community are urged to be cautious about who they are communicating with, to take precautions with their communications and to report any such cases of extortion. In addition to contacting UPD, complaints can be filed with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
WVU Police officers also advise against buying and sending gift cards or Bitcoin to suspicious email addresses or phone numbers.
• Stolen property from vehicles, including reports of items being stolen from parked vehicles
Most of these cases happen overnight with unlocked vehicles being targeted. Members of the University community are advised to lock vehicles, remove all valuables and report any suspicious activities in parking areas.
• Alcohol citations for underage consumption and open container violations
WVU Police officers remind the University community that it is illegal to be in a public place in an intoxicated condition, possess alcohol under the age of 21, or drink alcohol or have an open container on any public sidewalk, street or other public place.
The exception to this is the City of Morgantown’s established Private Outdoor Designated Area, or PODA, which operates during designated hours and with a number of restrictions in downtown Morgantown. No campus areas fall within the designated PODA.
Find more information about WVU Police.
Emergency calls should be directed to 911 or 304-293-3136.
“We ask members of our campus community to report all instances of crime or suspected crime,” St. Clair said. “By working together to address incidents through both enforcement and education, we can keep WVU as safe as possible for all.”
Alerts about emergencies and incidents on or near campus are available by registering for the WVU Alert system. Downloading the LiveSafe app and turning on push notifications allows for direct and discreet two-way communication with police along with safety messages.
Additional safety information is available through the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page and @WVUsafety on X.
-WVU-
sj/9/25/24
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
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