The Harvard University Police Reports an Overall Decrease in Campus Crime
Graphic by Caleb Boyce
The Harvard University Police Department released its “2025 Annual Security Report” on Oct. 1, containing data from 2022, 2023, and 2024. The institution’s Cambridge Campus saw an overall decline across violent and hate-motivated crimes since 2023.
“Together, the Department and the community can work to create an environment free from the distraction of criminal activity and disorder, for the pursuit of education and scholarship that brings people to Harvard University,” Interim Chief of Police Denis Downing wrote in the report.
Responsible for more than 19,000 students, 14,000 faculty, and 700 buildings, HUPD leverages their status as a full-service police department—consisting of a Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Dignitary Protection Unit—to respond to any campus criminal incidents. All HUPD officers hold deputy sheriff powers, granting them authority to make arrests for campus disturbances or “breach of the peace on city streets” in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. Officers are permitted to enforce University, local, and state policies.
HUPD maintains a close working relationship with municipal law enforcement in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Though no formal memorandum establishes it, HUPD holds primary jurisdiction over all incidents on campus—except homicide. For criminal activity immediately adjacent to campus, HUPD often coordinates with local police to ensure the most appropriate response. The Annual Security Report includes information obtained from these police departments.
“Working together is always better, as it increases communication and improves relationships, both of which are so incredibly important,” Downing continued.
The Annual Security Report is formed at the discretion of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which requires that all higher education institutions disclose security policies, procedures, and offense statistics relating to reported “Clery Crimes”—inclusive of transgressions like simple assaults and thefts that occur on Harvard’s land, University-affiliated spaces, or campus-adjacent public property.
According to the Report, violent crime on Harvard’s Cambridge campus decreased by approximately 52% between 2023 and 2024. Since 2022, there have been no incidents of murder or manslaughter in HUPD and peer departments’ areas of jurisdiction. Nonetheless, on April 20, an active shooter at the Harvard Square T stop sent shockwaves through campus affiliates as HUPD issued a shelter-in-place.
Sexual offenses similarly fell since 2023. In 2024, there were seven reported instances of rape in comparison to 17 in 2023. The number of sexual offenses has fallen since 2023. In both 2024 and 2023, there were seven documented instances of fondling. And there were no incidences of statutory rape or incest in 2023 or 2024.
In 2024, the Independent asked students how safe they feel at Harvard. An overwhelming majority—95%—affirmed campus security and feelings of comfort. The report did not name any specific incidents of any possible sexual violations. However, a student last year told the Independent that a “creepy old man” attempted to lure a freshman girl into an alleyway to take pictures with him.
Aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft were some of the most common documented criminal offenses. In 2024, there were 33 total incidents of aggravated assault, 31 burglaries, and 165 motor vehicle thefts—a 56.8% decrease, 110.7% increase, and 118.7% increase from 2023, respectively. Documented cases of robbery fell from 28 in 2023 to six in 2024. There were no incidents of arson in 2024, in contrast to six total in 2023. Domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking all remained relatively uncommon, with four, four, and nine offenses reported, respectively. This is in comparison to 10, four, and four, respectively, in 2023.
Much like the report suggests, one of the most common criminal incidents students witnessed, according to interviews with the Independent in 2024, was motorized scooter theft outside campus buildings.
Beyond criminal offenses, concerns about hate-motivated transgressions have remained highly salient since the Trump administration alleged that antisemitism was rampant on Harvard’s campus. In 2024, five religion-motivated offenses were reported, manifested as larceny, intimidation, and vandalism. Three of these events took place on Harvard’s campus and one inside a residential building. In 2023, HUPD reported just two acts of larceny or simple assault based on religion. These incidents occurred for the first time since 2021.
There were two reports of vandalism or aggravated assault based on sexual orientation in 2024, the same as in 2023. The 2025 Annual Report did not document any hate crimes on the grounds of race for 2024. However, in 2023, there was one act of intimidation motivated by race on campus property, three aggravated assaults, and one simple assault. Possible increases in race- or gender-motivated crime in 2025 are of particular concern, as the support once offered by the University Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ office is no longer feasible following their closing.
Formal arrests made on the Cambridge campus have remained low since 2022. In 2024, only three total arrests were made due to drug law violations on adjacent public property. In 2024, there was just one.
Disciplinary actions also hovered under 10. In 2022, there were zero reported students transgressing weapons, drug, or liquor laws. In 2023, there were three total across all categories. In 2024, there were seven.
HUPD advises anyone with questions about personal or campus welfare to stop by their headquarters at 1033 Massachusetts Ave. or to email chief@hupd.havard.edu.
“By taking the time to familiarize yourself with our resources and by using the information provided in this report, you will be actively assisting us in maintaining a safe and secure campus for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” Downing concluded in his note.
Sara Kumar ’27 (sjkumar@college.harvard.edu) is the News Editor of the Harvard Independent.