U of M campus security statistics and details of reported incidents for April and May are now available. These figures were published in Security Services Monthly, the university’s security services newsletter that provides insight into their daily operations.
April statistics
During the month of April, U of M security services responded to 82 suspicious calls. These include reports of suspicious people and vehicles located on campus. 61 safe walks and four safe rides were completed, described as rides or accompaniment during walks provided by security services. Additionally, security services responded to 13 medical emergencies and 218 alarms such as fire, elevator, code blue, emergency phones and panic alarms. 188 unscheduled access requests were received which comprised of assistance to students and staff seeking building or room access. Parking services was assisted through one call for service.
The Fort Garry campus experienced 46 incidents that were reported to security services compared to seven incidents reported at the Bannatyne campus.
Of the 46 Fort Garry campus incidents, 20 were classified as thefts, followed by 11 individual accounts of trespassing and four accounts of mischief. Items reportedly involved in campus thefts included laptops, bikes, tablets, keys and personal items. Other reported incidents included a suspicious person, individuals intoxicated on campus, verbal aggression and a break and enter at the U of M cycle kiosk. One infraction each of the smoking by-law, skateboarding by-law and noise by-law was recorded. Four incidents under the highway traffic act were also documented, including vehicle damage sustained from a hit and run in B Lot on April 4.
Reported incidents at the Bannatyne campus were mainly classified as mischief. These included reports of vandalism to vehicles, an electrical outlet and a window, along with an attempted vehicle break-in. The remaining incidents at the downtown campus comprised of drink theft from a vending machine and stolen electronic equipment.
Gordon Perrier, director of security services for the U of M, indicated that statistics for April 2024 are comparable to 2023 and 2020. Security statistics for April 2021 and 2022 are deemed anomalous due to COVID-19 and remote learning, Perrier added.
May statistics
Security services received 221 unscheduled access requests and assisted parking services through two calls for service. Both of these figures were higher compared to April.
Responses by security services to suspicious calls, safe walks, safe rides, medical emergencies and alarms were down in May relative to the previous month.
Reported incidents at the Fort Garry campus were also down compared to April.
These included 18 accounts of theft, half of which pertained to bicycles. On May 13, the theft of a vehicle was reported at the plant science field station. Other items reported as stolen during the month included personal items, cash, a vehicle emblem, passport, wallet and a credit card. The remainder of reported incidents are classified as a disturbance to public order, mischief, trespassing and accounts under the highway traffic act. An assault was reported to security services on May 24 at Taché Hall.
Five incidents of theft were reported at the Bannatyne campus. An attempted forced entry into a vehicle and a smoking by-law infraction were also documented at the downtown campus.
Security services can be contacted at 204-474-9312 for the Fort Garry campus and at 204-789-3330 for the Bannatyne campus.
