WEEKLY LUPD ACTIVITY SUMMARY
August 23, 2026 – August 30, 2026
During the week of August 23 to August 30, 2026, the Lehigh University Police Department logged 304 reported incidents. The campus climate reflected a heavy volume of routine student service requests typical for the start of the academic semester, dominated by residential lockouts, alongside alcohol-related medical calls, welfare checks, and standard campus safety patrols.
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS & CRIMES
- Crimes Against Property/Person:
- Potential Hazing / Assault: On August 24, a Gryphon reported potential hazing involving members of the lacrosse team. The incident remains under active investigation.
- Rape / Sexual Assault: On August 28, LUPD retrieved an anonymous Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) kit from St. Luke's Hospital – Fountain Hill regarding an incident at an unknown on-campus residential facility. Evidence was secured in a property locker, and the investigation is ongoing.
- Harassment: On August 28, a student at Southside Commons reported an ongoing pattern of text message harassment. The case is currently open.
- Criminal Mischief: Two instances of broken glass windows were reported—one at Carothers House on August 27 and another at Linderman Library on August 28. Both incidents remain open under investigation.
- Theft: A student reported a backpack containing personal belongings stolen at Taylor Gym on August 25. Additionally, commercial lawn care equipment (a trimmer and backpack blower) was reported stolen from Mountaintop Campus on August 25. Both cases are under investigation.
- Off-Campus Assault Assistance: On August 29, LUPD assisted Bethlehem Police with a report of an assault that occurred off-campus at Molly's Irish Pub.
- Fraud/Drugs/Liquor:
- Fraud / False Identification: False identification cards were confiscated from an intoxicated male patient and his roommate during an EMS evaluation at McClintic-Marshall House on August 23.
- Drug Abuse Violations: Three incidents were reported during the week. Marijuana was confiscated from two students at Singleton House on August 24 and referred to the Dean of Students. A non-affiliated male was cited on August 24 for smoking marijuana on a bench outside the Lehigh Store. On August 26, marijuana and paraphernalia were discovered in a common area at Chi Phi during a fire alarm trouble investigation and referred for administrative review.
- Liquor Law Violations & Intoxication: LUPD responded to 16 liquor law violations involving underage possession or extreme intoxication. Multiple incidents required emergency medical response and hospital transport to St. Luke's Fountain Hill, including calls at Brodhead House, Ryan St/Hillside Ave, 300 blk E Packer Ave, Singleton House, Drinker House, and Trembley Park.
- Medical Amnesty: On August 28, officers and EMS responded to Kappa Delta for an underage intoxicated student. Medical Amnesty was applied.
- Facilities & Hazards:
- Gas Leak: On August 27, a Gryphon reported a gas odor in the East stairwell of Farrington Square B. Bethlehem Fire Department and Facilities responded, shutting off gas service to Johnny's Bagels.
- Fire Alarms & Cooking Hazards: Cooking-related fire alarms were triggered at Farrington Square D (where a resident pulled a pull station), Trembley Park E, and Trembley Park G; BFD inspected and cleared all locations.
- Traffic Hazard / BFD Vehicle Malfunction: On August 25, a Bethlehem Fire Department truck suffered a mechanical failure at University Drive and Trembley Drive, requiring a prolonged roadway shutdown for repairs.
SECURITY ALARMS & UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
- Suspicious Activity:
- On August 23, a person contacted a student at McClintic-Marshall House posing as a student's relative to gain their location. The student was advised to stop sharing location data with the individual.
- On August 26, a faculty member reported a student possessing a sword in Farrington Square A. The student surrendered the sword to LUPD for safekeeping until arrangements are made to transfer it off campus.
- On August 29, students reported concerns to LUPD dispatch regarding potentially unlawful wire-tap activities by another student; an investigation is ongoing.
- On August 30, dispatch received a call from an unknown male who made explicit remarks toward the department before hanging up.
- Security Breaches & Propped Doors:
- Officers discovered unsecured perimeter doors during facility checks, including a door propped open with a weight at Cundey Varsity House, open overhead doors at Building C and Imbt/ATLSS Lab, and an open gate at Ulrich Fields Complex; all were secured.
- Security Alarms:
- LUPD responded to 7 extended door prop/held alarms across campus (Packard Lab, Whitaker Lab, Rauch Business Center, Brodhead House, Alumni Memorial, and Caruso Wrestling Complex). Doors were secured, and facility work orders were submitted where mechanical closers malfunctioned.
TRAFFIC STOPS & ENFORCEMENT
- Traffic Stops: Officers executed 9 traffic stops across campus and surrounding streets.
- Reasons: Operating without required headlights (4), failure to stop at stop signs (3), driving the wrong way on a one-way street (1), and a traffic stop resulting in a medical emergency response (1).
- Actions Taken: Issued verbal warnings for headlight and stop sign infractions, and a police warning notice card for registration/inspection. During a stop at New St & Morton St on August 26, an elderly non-affiliated driver experienced a medical emergency. EMS transported the driver for treatment.
SERVICE & LOGISTICS
- Lockouts: Handled 153 residential dorm room and building lockout assistance calls throughout the week.
- Welfare Checks ("Check Person"): Conducted 1 welfare check at Alpha Epsilon Pi following a medical alert; the student was verified safe and spoke with family.
- Assistance & Medical:
- Sick Person Responses (5): Responded to student medical calls including a seizure at a sorority house, fainting during services at Packer Church, illness/vomiting at Farrington Square Courtyard, consciousness loss at Farrington Square B, and an unaffiliated woman suffering a mental health emergency on a Lehigh bus at the Lookout.
- Injured Person Responses (4): Assisted a student bitten by a snake at House 93 (evaluated by LUEMS), a student who dislocated their shoulder during volleyball at Lower Centennial II, a student with a cut finger at Sayre Park Village A, and provided transport for an existing ankle injury on S New St.
- Motorist & Facility Assists: Completed 2 vehicle jump-starts, 1 vehicle lockout assist, 1 bank money escort for Stabler Arena, and provided courtesy transports for students following medical evaluation or domestic dispute separation.
TRENDS & LESSONS LEARNED
- Residential Lockout Volume: Lockouts accounted for over 50% of total reported incidents this week (153 calls). Students are strongly encouraged to keep physical key fobs and Lehigh IDs accessible at all times to minimize dispatch burdens.
- Facility Door Security: Multiple athletic and academic building doors were found propped open or held open with weights. Building occupants are reminded that propping doors compromises campus security and invalidates electronic access controls.
- Alcohol Safety & Medical Amnesty: Weekend calls reflected high intoxication levels among underage students. LUPD reminds the campus community that Medical Amnesty applies in emergency situations, ensuring health and safety remain the top priority when requesting medical aid.