CAMPUS: UPD keeps students informed via campus crime, fire statistics

By Jennifer Peña
Bridge Contributing Writer
Published Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024

The University Police Department updated TAMIU on the annual crime and fire statistics. The 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report presents policies, campus crime and fire statistics and safety protocols was distributed on Oct.1.

UPD Chief of Police Cordelia G. Perez and Senior Director and Clery Compliance Officer Trevor C. Liddle encouraged Texas A&M International University students and faculty to read the report to help spread awareness and safety. The document is declared by the Clery Act, named after Jeanne Clery whose parents fought for transparency in campus crime reporting after learning that her school did not release a history of violent incidents.

Campus security camera — **Juan Carlos Puente | Bridge**
A solar-powered security camera overlooks the overflow parking near the University Police Department building on Dec. 3. This is one of the ways UPD helps keep an eye on campus security.

“The purpose of the report is to provide students, parents, employees and future students with information that is accurate and timely about the safety and crime statistics on our campus,” Perez said.

The crime statistics include violent crimes, sex offenses, hate crimes, as well as drug, alcohol and weapon violations, which are classified by location. Fire safety information includes statistics about fires that take place on campus as well as fire prevention and evacuation procedures.

“The biggest thing that this [report] tells us … it gives us a window of where do we look at in placing educational and outreach resources to help our students to make the best decision that they possibly can,” Liddle said.

There are many challenges that face the safety of the campus and the UPD’s job is to conquer them. Reportedly, officers are constantly working to improve their crime response and actively patrol the campus to help the community feel safe.

“The biggest challenge that faces us is breaking the idea that telling somebody is negative,” Liddle said. “By reporting something to us, it gives us the opportunity to break the cycle.”

The chief and her officers strive to make TAMIU a safe community for everyone on campus.

“I want to continue to bring programs, like Safe Zone, to campus to make it easier for students to reach out to us,” Perez said. “I want to build a stronger relationship with our students, our faculty and our staff to help build an outreach.”