Crime typically dwindles after the closing of the Spring semester, but one crime that persists with decent prevalence is theft, local law enforcement leaders agree.
Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers said summer semesters are typically less busier than the regular school year with lower amount of calls for service or calls to report crime.
"The type of crime doesn't differ markedly from the regular school year, there's just less of it," Powers said. "Theft continues to be the leading crime to which people fall victim on our campus."
During the first week after Spring semester closure, OUPD received two reports of theft, and a burglary that allegedly happened in Morton Hall. Other reports include traffic violations, drug offenses, computer crime and menacing.
Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle echoed that burglary and theft reports, though not as common in the summer as when school is in session, tend to remain fairly static.
“It occurs with the select few who remain in residence, Pyle said. “Most people move, so it’s not as predominant as it is in spring semester.”
In 2013, OUPD saw 11 bike thefts during summer semester, according to reports. Those thefts amounted to an estimated total loss of around $2,554.
Pyle added that his department has seen a spike in speeding violations on Columbia Avenue leading to Strouds Run State Park and that they also have received speeding complaints on E. State Street by the Athens public pool.
Powers said his department usually plans some type of inservice training during the summer. For officers and administrative personnel, he said, the slower pace provides more time for catching up on long term projects.
