Winthrop University released its annual crime and security report for the 2020 calendar year. This security report is mandated by law for any public or private higher education institution that receives federal funding.
Winthrop reported zero cases of murder or manslaughter. There were four cases of rape and sexual assault and one case of fondling, which also falls under the category of sexual assault. There were four cases of burglary and zero cases of arson or motor vehicle theft.
In terms of drug and alcohol offenses, there were 13 arrests and 43 referrals total. Last year, there were zero arrests or referrals for weapon–related offenses.
The report includes numbers of crimes that the federal government requires to be reported, including murder, rape and sexual assault, burglary and arson. It also includes drug, alcohol and weapon–related offenses.
The crimes detailed in the report have occurred either on campus, in residence halls, off campus on roads surrounding Winthrop’s campus, such as Oakland Avenue and Cherry Road, or off-campus public property like fraternity and sorority houses and Winthrop Lake.
Assistant Chief of Police Charles Yearta said the numbers in this year’s report are “standard.”
“[T]o be honest with you, from year to year, the numbers that I gave you, those are pretty much our standard. There’s no significant increase,” Yearta said
Some of the numbers included in the federal report were not reported to police because survivors are not required to press charges.
“We want people to report those incidents even if the police aren’t involved. And the reason for that is, is because it’s up to the survivor at that point to say, ‘Yes, I want the police involved’ or no. But even if they don’t want us to get involved or for us to investigate it and try to get them justice, we do want Winthrop to offer the services that are available to them,” Yearta said.
Services that Winthrop offers are, among others, counseling and health exams offered by both the Office of Victims Assistance and Health and Counseling Services.
Winthrop students still feel that the numbers for some of these crimes are too high.
“Our numbers are very low which is a blessing, but our overarching goal should be to decrease the number even more,” said Carrie Vaughn, freshman political science major.
“I know that sexual assault is common, and that small amount of reports is questionable. It makes me wonder if that is the true amount of reports or if that’s just what they are saying,’ said psychology major Hallee Berndt.
Students also felt that while Winthrop releasing the crime numbers to students and the public is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done.
“The only problem is that we don’t know if it’s the actual number. Winthrop has been rumored in the past to not take charges seriously, so who is to say they didn’t disregard some. Although if students are too afraid to come out, these numbers would also be incorrect,” Berndt said.
“The release of numbers should not even be a question; students should have access to those numbers and more as it affects their day–to–day life,” said psychology major Catie Dixon.
Students also think more should be done to keep campus safer.
“There should be more awareness events rather than just the videos we have to watch. Counseling sessions are also booked until February, so I think having that security of having someone to talk to if you’re afraid of going to the police would be a good place to start,” Berndt said.
