The Otterbein University police department's annual campus security and fire safety report showed a steady increase in liquor violations.
According to the report, the category with the most increase from 2015-17 was liquor law violations resulting in disciplinary action. In 2017, the number was up to 76 individuals. This is a 36-person increase from 2015.
The report was released by O.P.D. on Sept. 9 and detailed the overall trend of crimes both on and off campus between 2015 and 2017.
“A key component of the 'community approach to safety' is to report crimes or suspected criminal activity to the Otterbein Police Department, which includes the misuse of alcohol on campus," said Otterbein Police Chief Larry Banaszak in a letter attached to the safety report.
Compared to similar colleges, Heidelberg University’s 2017 safety report showed no individuals being arrested or disciplined for liquor or drug violations. Additionally, Capital University’s numbers have decreased from 2014 to 2016.
Within the past two years, Otterbein updated its alcohol policy to allow liquor on campus. Although the amount of arrests due to liquor law violations have been kept below five individuals, the alcohol policy could correlate to the increase in liquor law violations with disciplinary action.
The report also showed a significant decrease in crimes such as burglary, drug violations and liquor violations resulting in arrest. There has been a slight increase in crimes such as rape, stalking, and dating violence.
Compared to similar colleges, Otterbein fared about the same in these areas.
