WEEKLY LUPD ACTIVITY SUMMARY
October 11, 2026 – October 18, 2026
During the week of October 11 through October 18, 2026, the Lehigh University Police Department responded to 219 calls for service. Overall campus conditions remained stable, with the overwhelming majority of officer engagements centered on student support, facility safety checks, and routine access assistance, including 103 residential and facility lockouts.
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS & CRIMES
- Crimes Against Property/Person: An unenrolled former student was arrested for defiant trespass at Taylor Gym and arraigned before a magisterial district judge at Northampton County Prison; the same individual was subsequently taken into custody after returning to campus and walking into the LUPD lobby in violation of a no-trespass order. Criminal mischief reports included an unknown actor damaging a residential screen window at a university-owned property on Montclair Avenue (latent prints lifted; investigation ongoing) and outdoor furniture thrown from the terrace of the Zoellner Arts Center (open investigation). Additionally, officers responded to a verbal domestic dispute involving non-Lehigh affiliates outside the Business Innovation Building; parties were separated and provided courtesy transportation.
- Bias Incidents: Zero incidents involving bias or discriminatory harassment were reported to or investigated by LUPD during this period. LUPD maintains zero tolerance for bias-motivated offenses and investigates all reports thoroughly in coordination with campus partner offices.
- Fraud/Drugs/Liquor: Officers confiscated and destroyed a fraudulent identification card from an intoxicated non-Lehigh male on the steps of the Health, Science, and Technology (HST) building. An online sextortion report was documented at Southside Commons, where the student was advised of protective options and provided campus resources. Officers investigated two drug abuse violations outside Dravo House involving groups smoking marijuana; contraband and paraphernalia were seized, and all involved students were referred to the Dean of Students. Multiple alcohol-related responses occurred throughout the week, including students evaluated by Lehigh EMS at First Terrace, Hillside Avenue, Trembley Park, McClintic-Marshall House, and Dravo House, as well as an intoxicated female student transported from Congdon House to St. Luke's Hospital.
- Medical Amnesty (Safe Harbor Act): In accordance with the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing and Safe Harbor Act, medical amnesty principles were actively applied during several acute alcohol-related medical emergencies this week (including incidents at Congdon House, Trembley Park, McClintic-Marshall, and First Terrace). Students who sought or received emergency medical care for intoxication were evaluated by EMS and connected with health services and the Dean of Students rather than facing criminal alcohol charges. LUPD reinforces that student health and safety are the absolute priority during medical crises.
- Facilities & Hazards: Bethlehem Fire Department was dispatched to eight fire alarms, all determined to be non-hazardous and preventable (sources included residential cooking smoke at Southside Commons and Farrington Square D, steam from a hot-water mop bucket at Warren Square, and a fog machine activated inside the University Center). Officers also coordinated with Bethlehem Police, Bethlehem Fire, and PPL to secure a downed tree and active power lines that struck an unoccupied vehicle on Meade Street.
SECURITY ALARMS & UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
- Suspicious Activity: A non-Lehigh-affiliated male with no legitimate campus business was identified inside the Mudd Building and escorted off campus without incident. Maginnes Hall staff reported a suspicious package delivered to an inactive mailbox at an off-campus location, which is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
- Security Breaches: Officers discovered and secured multiple unsecured exterior access points during routine checks, including unsecured exterior doors at Taylor Gym, an open main gate and interior doors at the Ulrich Fields Complex, an open bay garage door at the Covert Track Pavilion, and ground-level open windows at Alpha Omicron Pi (House 107).
- Alarms: Officers responded to 12 door prop/held alarms (including the University Center dock, Cundey Varsity House, Iacocca Hall, Maginnes Hall, Rauch Business Center, Building C, Martindale Library, Alumni Memorial, and Linderman Library). All doors were inspected and secured; facilities work orders were placed for malfunctioning hardware at Zoellner Arts Center and Building C. Six burglary alarms were investigated and cleared (Zoellner Arts Center, 526 Brodhead Ave, Budget Office at 618 Brodhead Ave, Risk Management at 616 Brodhead Ave, and Iacocca Hall), predominantly caused by custodial work or IDEAL system testing.
TRAFFIC STOPS & ENFORCEMENT
- Traffic Stops: Officers conducted five traffic stops across campus corridors. Violations included failure to stop at a stop sign (Sayre Drive / Dravo Drive), distracted driving / FaceTime use by an operator (Brodhead Avenue / Warren Square), and operating without required headlights during darkness (University Drive / 8th Street and Upper Sayre Park Road). In all instances, educational verbal warnings were issued. One stop on Trembley Drive involved an out-of-town family who was lost; officers provided a warning and a courtesy escort directly to their student's residence hall.
SERVICE & LOGISTICS
- Lockouts: LUPD completed 103 residential room, chapter house, and academic building lockout assists, along with one motor vehicle lockout for a university staff member on Taylor Street.
- Welfare Checks: Nine "Check Person" calls were resolved. Interventions included supporting a student experiencing an acute panic attack in Dravo House, conducting a follow-up welfare check at Southside Commons in coordination with university counseling resources, and responding to parent inquiries.
- Assistance & Medical: Officers responded to eight medical calls, including severe allergic reactions at Lamberton Hall and House 87, a fainting episode at Richards House, a seizure/epileptic incident at Fairchild-Martindale Library, and a psychiatric emergency at a residence hall (coordinated with the Dean on Duty and EMS transport to St. Luke's Hospital). Officers also responded to a self-harm crisis at a residence, ensuring immediate transport by Bethlehem EMS and notifying university executive leadership. Specialized services included a courtesy transport for a student with mobility needs and a secure financial escort at the University Center.
TRENDS & LESSONS LEARNED
- Exterior Door Propping & Facility Security: Unsecured exterior doors, ground-floor windows, and propped entrances continue to represent the primary physical security vulnerability across living and athletic spaces. Student leaders are encouraged to remind peers never to prop locked perimeter doors or grant unverified tailgating access.
- Cooking-Related Fire Alarms: Repeated fire department dispatches this week stemmed from unattended residential cooking and steam buildup. Basic awareness regarding kitchen ventilation and exhaust fans can significantly reduce emergency dispatches and building evacuations.
- Promoting Safe Harbor Awareness: Student organizations are urged to actively educate their memberships on Lehigh's medical amnesty culture. Calling emergency personnel when someone is in distress will never result in criminal disciplinary citations for alcohol consumption.