NC West Virginia News

The West Virginia University Police Department has released its latest Clery Act report, showing declines in several key crime categories. This follows investments in proactive safety measures and communication efforts.

“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.”

The report covers statistics from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023. 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 is included in the annual Clery Act report. The report details the number of reported crimes as defined by the federal Clery Act but does not include investigation outcomes.

Requests for paper copies of the report can be made 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. This includes public property within or immediately adjacent to campus and non-campus 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.”

In addition to publishing the report, WVU Police officers are working to enhance safety and raise awareness about certain crimes:

- Fraudulent and harassing scams: This includes cases of sextortion where victims are threatened with distribution of private material if payment demands are not met. Members of the University community are urged to be cautious about their communications and report any such cases.

- Stolen property from vehicles: Most thefts occur overnight targeting unlocked vehicles. Community members are advised to lock vehicles, remove valuables, and report suspicious activities.

- Alcohol citations: Underage consumption and open container violations remain issues. It is illegal to be intoxicated in public places or possess alcohol under age 21 except within designated areas like Morgantown’s Private Outdoor Designated Area (PODA).

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 on or near campus are available through registration for the WVU Alert system. The LiveSafe app allows direct two-way communication with police along with safety messages.