Protective Services has shared some data regarding on-campus activities in 2018 as compared to 2017. In addition, the Sheaf has picked out some of the most notable instances from the Protective Services briefs this year.

Overall, Protective Services saw a quieter year in 2018 than in 2017. From Jan. 1 to Dec. 19 this year, Protective Services received 6,141 calls for service, down from the 7,073 recorded in 2017 from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

Similar to the reduction in overall calls for service, there was a 26.35 per cent decrease in thefts reported to Protective Services from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, there were a total of 204 thefts reported with 83 bicycle-related thefts and 121 property-related thefts, as opposed to 2017, which saw a total of 277 thefts reported with 95 bicycle-related thefts and 182 property-related thefts.

However, the trend of decreasing activity from 2017 to 2018 did not hold true for everything. Protective Services data reveals that there was a slight increase in reported suspicious activity, which includes suspicious people and suspicious vehicles, with 2018 seeing 1,093 reported instances and 2017 seeing 1,065 reported instances.

In the records sent to the Sheaf, Protective Services noted that there were no calls related to on-campus weapon possession. Earlier this year, however, Protective Services did note in a previous set of briefs that there was a call about an alleged knife possession in Louis’ Pub on Feb. 24.

Protective Services briefs 2018 highlights:

Broken ceiling tile: Residence custodians reported on Jan. 14 that a ceiling tile had been purposefully broken on the second floor of Saskatchewan Hall. Protective Services asked anyone with information regarding this damage to contact them.

Fire extinguisher: On Jan. 22, Protective Services was notified that persons unknown had sprayed a fire extinguisher in the courtyard between the Arts Building and the Law Building. Protective Services officers investigated the incident.

Stolen AirPods: On Feb. 6, a caller reported to Protective Services that his pair of Apple AirPods were missing after he left them in a charging station in Edwards School of Business. The individual in possession of the stolen item was identified, and the item was returned to the owner.

Mac’s Convenience Store: An employee of Mac’s Convenience Store in Lower Place Riel contacted Protective Services to report that two young males had stolen a four-litre jug of milk on the afternoon of March 3. Officers responded, but the suspects had fled. Surveillance footage of the incident was collected and examined.

Wildlife on campus: On Sept. 19, Protective Services received a call regarding a moose walking through the crop science field laboratory. The Saskatoon Police Service and a conservation officer were able to transport the moose safely out of city limits without incident.

Attempted robbery on the Meewasin Trail: On Oct. 15, a student was approached by an unknown male and female on the Meewasin Trail, just off campus near the university’s Education fields. The victim had her backpack pulled from her and was struck during the struggle. The suspects, one armed with a knife, did not take any of her belongings and fled on foot, southbound on the trail. This incident occurred off campus and was handled by the Saskatoon Police Service.

Safewalk reminder: Safewalk volunteers walk people safely to their destinations on or near campus, Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Outside of these hours, Protective Services provides free walking escorts to students, staff, faculty and campus visitors and can be reached at (306) 966-5555.

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The Sheaf

Photo: Riley Deacon / Photo Editor