WEEKLY LUPD ACTIVITY SUMMARY
September 27, 2026 – October 4, 2026
During the week of September 27 to October 4, 2026, the Lehigh University Police Department logged a total of 173 reported incidents. Campus activity was characterized by routine semester service requests, including 60 residential and building lockouts, alongside responses to medical calls, property checks, and campus safety patrols.
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS & CRIMES
- Crimes Against Property/Person:
- Bias / Offensive Writing Incident: On October 3, staff at Building J reported offensive writing discovered on a whiteboard. The writing was photographed and erased, and the incident remains open under active investigation.
- Terroristic Threats: On October 2, a student reported receiving a verbal threat from an individual during a debate on Memorial Walkway. The student chose not to prosecute at the time, and victim rights information was provided.
- Theft: On October 4, a food delivery mistakenly left at Sigma Phi Epsilon was taken and consumed by another student who was identified. The victim did not wish to prosecute. Case closed.
- Criminal Mischief: On October 2, a fire alarm pull station was damaged and activated at Delta Upsilon. On October 3, criminal mischief to the building was reported at Grace Hall. Both cases remain open under investigation.
- Fraud/Drugs/Liquor:
- Fraudulent Identification: Three false identification incidents were documented. On October 1, an intoxicated non-affiliated individual provided a fake ID during a public drunkenness check on Packer Avenue. On October 3, two false IDs were seized following a disturbance call at Pi Beta Phi, and a false ID was confiscated during a medical response at Stevens House.
- Drug Abuse Violations: On October 2, officers investigating an odor of marijuana at Sigma Phi Epsilon located three students in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, while a fourth underage student had consumed alcohol. The case was referred for administrative review.
- Liquor Law Violations & Medical Amnesty: LUPD responded to 16 liquor law violations across campus facilities and surrounding streets. In accordance with Medical Amnesty principles under the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing and Safe Harbor Act, emergency medical care was prioritized for severely intoxicated individuals requiring hospital transport, including calls at Farrington Square Apartments, Singleton House, Stevens House, and House 106, ensuring health and safety remained the focus without administrative barriers. Other alcohol infractions resulted in citations or referrals to the Dean of Students.
- Facilities & Hazards:
- Gas Odor Inspections: On September 30, officers and fire personnel responded to Packer House after a stove burner was accidentally left on, and to an off-campus residence on Montclair Avenue for a reported gas odor. Both areas were inspected and cleared.
- Water Leaks: Facility maintenance was coordinated for water leaks caused by a refrigerator at a university-owned residence on Montclair Avenue and an unvented dehumidifier at Richards House.
- Fire Alarms: Five fire alarms were inspected and cleared by the fire department, including activations caused by metal cutting at Packard Lab, cooking at Beardslee House and Southside Commons, a fog machine during a registered event at Psi Upsilon, and mop cleaning steam at Pi Kappa Phi.
SECURITY ALARMS & UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
- Suspicious Activity:
- On September 29, an unauthorized individual found occupying space inside Packard Laboratory was directed to leave campus, issued a trespass warning, and provided community housing resources.
- On October 4, staff at Lamberton Hall reported an individual photographing people without consent. Officers interviewed the individual, educated them on obtaining permission, and confirmed they were a visiting business owner.
- On October 3, officers responded to Delta Chi regarding an unknown individual attempting to initiate physical altercations with students.
- Security Breaches:
- Perimeter checks located open gates at Ulrich Fields and Sayre Fields, an open overhead door at Building E, and an open ground-floor window and screen at Fairchild Laboratory. All were inspected and secured.
- Security Alarms:
- Officers checked seven extended door prop alarms across campus buildings, including Jordan Hall, Williams Hall, Rauch Business Center, EWFM Library, Brodhead House, Maginnes Hall, and the Health, Science, and Technology Building. All doors were secured, and a repair work order was submitted for Maginnes Hall.
- A burglary alarm at Transportation Services was checked and cleared by an employee.
TRAFFIC STOPS & ENFORCEMENT
- Traffic Stops: Officers executed six traffic stops on campus and nearby roadways.
- Reasons: Operating without required headlights (2), operating with passengers hanging out of a truck bed (1), using a handheld device while driving (1), stopping/standing in a travel lane (1), and failing to stop at a stop sign (1).
- Actions Taken: Issued verbal and written police warnings for traffic and equipment infractions.
SERVICE & LOGISTICS
- Lockouts: Handled 60 residential dorm room and campus building lockout requests throughout the week.
- Welfare Checks ("Check Person"): Conducted six checks on student well-being, including verifying a napping student at Dravo House, assisting with a group refusing to leave basketball courts at Taylor Gym, and responding to parental check requests.
- Assistance & Medical:
- Sick Person Responses (5): Responded to medical calls, including heat-related distress and a bee sting at athletic events, a headache evaluation at Taylor House resulting in hospital transport, and fainting at Taylor Gym.
- Injured Person Responses (2): Evaluated a student who slipped on a sidewalk and a student scratched by a stray cat off campus.
- Motorist & Transport Assists: Completed 3 vehicle jump-starts, 1 bank money escort for the University Center, freed an individual trapped in a library elevator, addressed a broken apartment stove at Trembley Park, and provided student courtesy transports.
TRENDS & LESSONS LEARNED
- Stove and Kitchen Safety: Students are reminded to verify that stove burners and ovens are fully turned off after cooking to prevent accidental gas build-up and fire panel activations.
- Door Prop Security: Unlatched or propped security doors compromise building safety. Occupants should ensure exterior and interior access doors close securely.