In the 2024-25 academic session, the Department of Public Safety at Stanford University (SUDPS) documented a total of 561 crime occurrences. This information was collated through thorough examination of police blotter records, providing a weekly summary of the crimes that SUDPS attended.
A significant aspect in the evaluation of this dataset included creating visualizations of the reported crime’s geographical location. East and west campuses were discerned based on the longitude of the incident, grouping them depending if they fell left or right of the aggregate report’s median location.
Among the reported crimes, 161 cases involved theft of bicycles and scooters. The east campus held the majority share with 94 cases, while the west campus accounted for the remaining 67.
Bicycle theft was classified into two categories: petty theft or grand theft. The former referred to cases where the stolen bikes were worth $950 or less, whereas the latter encompassed scenarios where stolen bicycles were valued in excess of $950.
The data-driven insights also shed light on areas of potential risk. Bicycle parking zones, for instance, were subjected to frequent surveillance due to instances of suspicious behavior. The safety measures added an additional layer of protection for these vulnerable spots.
Back in 2023, Stanford had received prestigious recognition for its bicycle-friendly initiatives, securing the Platinum Bicycle Friendly University Award for the fourth time in a row. Up until this point, Stanford was the only academic institution to achieve this honor, further cementing its commitment to promoting safer and greener commuting methods.
The campus saw more than 10,000 bicyclists on a daily basis. With such substantial numbers, promoting safety and reducing mishaps became a priority for the university.
In response, SUDPS undertook a variety of initiatives to bolster bike safety. The measures included hosting bike safety courses, raising awareness for the Bicycle Safety Diversion Program, and amplifying law enforcement measures to deter potential crime.
The goal was to not just to ensure safety but to also bring down the number of collisions across the sprawling university campus. Each initiative was implemented keeping in mind the well-being of the biking community at Stanford.
The volume of vehicle theft was another noteworthy statistic from the 2024-25 academic year report. Forty car theft incidents were officially documented, some of which were part of a string of thefts around the Rains graduate housing area in March.
The distribution of these cases was almost even between the east and west campuses. Seventeen cases were reported from the east campus and the balance twenty-three were documented on the west campus.
Such incidents prompted a change in the approach towards campus security. SUDPS increased patrol frequency in parking lots and parking structures, particularly during night-time, in an effort to proactively deter any potential criminal activity.
The goal was not just deterring crime but also to reassure the community that safety was a top priority. Rectifying vulnerabilities identified through data analysis was a key step in ensuring this priority was met.
While the number of reported incidents was concerning, it was important to note that the Public Safety Department took proactive and reactive steps to deal with these situations. The purpose was not just to respond to incidents, but to predict and prevent future occurrences.
Safety remains the utmost priority for Stanford University. The data from the past year has not only given them insight into where they stand, but has also helped them understand where tighter security measures are needed most.
While it is crucial to remember that where there is an opportunity, the likelihood of a crime happening increases, it is equally important that the university’s efforts to maintain safety, security and peace continue to be strengthened.