The campus policing unit at the University of Windsor had a busy year, according to a recently released report.
The university's Campus Community Police unit put out its annual review for 2018 and it showed an increase in both total calls for service and filed reports. The annual report was submitted to the Windsor Police Services board at its monthly meeting last week.
According to the report, there were 3,880 calls to campus police in 2018, up from 3,747 in 2017. That represents a 3.5 per cent increase.
The number of reports taken was more telling, though. Campus police took 424 reports in 2018, compared to 338 in 2017, a 25 per cent jump. That total is similar to the one taken in the 2013-2014 academic year, which was 414.
Reports concerning criminal offences were up 36 per cent to 228 in 2018. Break-and-enters, bicycle thefts, and mischief under $5,000 remain the most common criminal offences called in, according to the annual review. Robberies at businesses had the most significant increase, though reports of theft under $5,000 had the biggest drop. Crimes against people remained stable, though there were two reports of sexual assault in 2018.
Non-criminal reports were up higher as well, to 183 for a 13 per cent climb in 2018. The most common calls were non-criminal property damage, illness investigations, and non-criminal harassment
The U of W campus police is responsible for security and law enforcement at all university-owned and operated properties within the city of Windsor, as well as any public streets or lanes abutting these properties. It works separately from the Windsor Police Service, but the campus police work in cooperation with the WPS board.
Twenty-three special constables are working to provide policing and security for the central Windsor campus, as well as the downtown facilities at the School of Social Work and the School of Creative Arts. The campus police operate 24 hours a day.
