Reports of motor vehicle thefts to the University of Maryland Police and drug-related referrals more than doubled in 2024, according to UMPD’s annual security report.

UMPD received about 240,000 calls for service in 2024, marking a 71 percent increase from 2023.

Here are some more key takeaways from the report about the University of Maryland campus and the surrounding area.

Motor vehicle thefts, attempted thefts more than doubled

Motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts, including electric scooters, electric bicycles and cars, more than doubled in 2024. UMPD received nearly 300 motor vehicle attempted and theft reports, according to the security report, compared to 141 the year before.

E-scooters accounted for about 90 percent of the motor vehicle theft reports in 2024, an almost 20 percent increase from the previous year.

All of 2024’s reported motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts happened on campus, according to the reports, but some students have also had thefts happen off campus.

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Nikkolas Duong, a junior information science major, said he had his bicycle wheels stolen off campus last week.

“I haven’t gotten it back,” Duong said. He didn’t report the incident to UMPD because he said he wasn’t sure how to. But Doung said he has heard from friends that their bicycle wheels were stolen on campus too.

UMPD spokesperson Lt. Rosanne Hoaas said e-scooters are the most common theft in the university area. Of the 287 motor vehicle thefts, 261 were e-scooters.

Stalking reports rise

There were 25 stalking reports in 2024, nearly double than the year before. All but one of the reports were on campus. Eight were reported from on-campus housing, which include sorority and fraternity housing.

Marta Brannman, the vice president of risk management for the University of Maryland’s Panhellenic Association, said sororities work together to keep everyone aware of stalkings around campus.

Brannman said she is in a group chat with other risk chairs from sororities at this university that monitors whenever members see or experience something uncomfortable in the area so sorority members can stay clear of that area.

Some instances of stalking or harassment are not formally reported, Brannman said, though she knows of a few occurrences already this semester.

“In the past, there’s been a lot of frustration with UMPD, with the lack of action taken on their part,” Brannman said. “Oftentimes, they’ll report it, and the police will just say, ‘OK, we’ll keep an eye on it.’”

Hoaas said if someone comes to UMPD to report first, the department will gather information as well as provide resources available to them on campus. Each situation is very different and is always investigated, Hoaas added.

Reports investigations also depend on multiple factors, including participation of the person who filed the report, Hoaas added in a written statement. Students can file reports through CARE to Stop Violence for confidential resources, as well as the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct, the statement read.

Drug-related violations increased

Drug-related violations, specifically campus disciplinary referrals — which send students to the Office of Student Conduct for investigation rather than arresting them, Hoaas said — increased from six incidents in 2023 to 35 last year.

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Cannabis is decriminalized in Maryland but is still a federal offense. All the drug-related violation referrals involved cannabis use, according to Hoaas.

“There’s no arrest happening there, but we’re still referring you because it’s still 1A violation of federal law, and we’re going to refer you to the Office of Student Conduct for it,” Hoaas said.

All of UMPD’s drug-related referrals in 2024 happened on campus. Police also conducted four on-campus arrests.

Drops in dating, domestic violence reports

Violence against women, including dating and domestic violence, declined from 2023 to 2024. There were two fewer domestic violence reports than last year, while dating violence reports fell by half of its 2023 total.

These crimes can be very personal and sometimes confidential resources are more sought out than police, Hoaas said.

“We support the person no matter what,” Hoaas said. “So if they want to get resources first and then come to us, that’s totally fine. We’re here when they’re ready.”