UTPD records nearly 70% rise in thefts, with West Campus seeing most incidents

March 31, 2026

The University of Texas Police Department has recorded more than 100 theft reports since January, an increase of nearly 70 percent compared with the same point in 2025. Most of those thefts were reported in the West Campus area, according to the department's incident database.

UTPD officials say the uptick in reports reflects both more crime and a stronger response tied to a new patrol effort. Nearly eight months ago UTPD and the Austin Police Department formed a partnership to boost safety in West Campus and launched a West Campus Patrol District, assigning almost two dozen UTPD officers to the area with boundaries extending to North Lamar Boulevard.

Austin Police Department Commander Craig Smith told staff by email that the rise in theft reports probably stems from two factors: increased patrol presence and an actual increase in property crimes. He noted that more officers on the street tend to result in more detection and reporting, which can raise the number of incidents logged even as it improves visibility of law enforcement.

Smith outlined the types of problems appearing more frequently in West Campus, citing an uptick in property offenses such as vehicle break-ins and bicycle thefts, along with a rise in nuisance complaints like noise and other disturbances. He said violent crime in the neighborhood remains low compared with many other parts of Austin.

Campuswide reporting has climbed as well, with the UTPD database showing an almost 57 percent increase in all reported incidents year-to-date. University public information materials linked the patrol expansion to an effort to improve safety in the dense student neighborhood.

Joell McNew, president of SafeHorns, welcomed the added patrols and the university's steps to bolster security, saying the group has long advocated for more visible policing in West Campus. McNew also noted that SafeHorns helped secure millions of dollars for security projects over the past decade and that the organization continues to monitor crime data and trends around campus.

UTPD and APD officials continue to monitor incident numbers as the partnership evolves, and campus groups remain engaged in pushing for measures intended to make the area safer for students and residents.