The Midwestern State University Police Department has released its annual Clery Crime Statistics for 2010.

The Clery report requires institutions of higher education to prepare, publish and distribute a report of campus crime data annually.

The report shows an increase in burglaries on campus property and residence housing.

Campus police recorded 26 burglaries compared to 12 the previous year.

“We had a group of hoodlums who were stealing from other students,” said Chief of Police Dan Williams. “We knew who was doing it but couldn’t prove it. No one had seen them (in action).”

Williams described these as crimes of opportunity rather than planned offenses.

According to the crime data, Midwestern also reported a decrease in alcohol violations on campus property.

Last year, 47 referrals for alcohol violations were reported on campus property compared with 63 the previous year.

In residence housing alcohol violations dropped from 61 in 2009 to  47 in 2010.

Drug violations on campus property increased from 20 to 25 last year. In residence housing drug violations jumped from 16 to 20 violations.

Where criminal prosecution is sought, cases are regularly forward to the Wichita Country District Attorney’s Office or the Wichita Country Justice of the Peace Court, or the City of Wichita Falls Municipal Court for filing.

All criminal cases involving MSU students are also referred to the Office of Student Judicial Programs for review and possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed for violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

“The Police Department works hard to ensure the protection of all faculty, staff, students and visitors,” the Clery report states.  “We cannot, however, guarantee the absolute safety of any one individual. Personal safety must begin with individual.”

Providing a safe academic environment is accomplished through the dedication and apprehension of criminals, the utilization of community orientated policing and crime prevention based programs in an attempt to improve the quality of life on campus and to reduce the fear of crime, the Clery report states.

Last year, campus police, who provide around the clock patrol and investigative protection, also discovered several students illegally entering campus offices.

Williams said he encouraged faculty and students to lock their doors.

Currently the police department has 15 full-time employees and five part- time employees.

The MSU police department maintains a daily crime log on its website at www.police.mwsu.edu/awareness.