Weekly LUPD Activity Summary
April 20, 2026 – April 26, 2026
This week, the Lehigh University Police Department managed 154 calls for service. As the spring semester winds down, activity shifted toward property-related "pranks" and a high volume of medical responses. Our focus remains on proactive safety and the use of Medical Amnesty to ensure students feel safe calling for assistance during critical intoxication or health events. We observed a notable trend in facility misuse this week, emphasizing the need for community awareness regarding the maintenance and emergency resources redirected by these actions.
Significant Incidents & Crimes
Crimes Against Property/Person
- Property Damage & Mental Health Response: Officers responded to a residential hall for a student in crisis who damaged property. The individual was provided a medical evaluation and transported to the hospital; interim administrative actions were applied.
- Ice Cream Theft: A group of students was identified for removing a five-gallon tub of ice cream from Rathbone Dining Hall. The individuals admitted to the act as a "prank," paid full financial restitution to Dining Services, and were referred to the Dean of Students.
- Harassment & Vandalism: A Lehigh staff member reported ongoing harassment by an alumnus involving vehicle vandalism at an off-campus location. LUPD is collaborating with local police on a potential trespass order.
- Stolen Package: An off-campus student reported a stolen clothing package after finding discarded empty mailing materials near their residence.
Fraud/Drugs/Liquor
- Medical Amnesty & Intoxication: LUPD responded to high-level intoxication cases requiring hospital transport at the Dialogue Center, Whitaker Lab, and Trembley Park. Medical Amnesty was granted in multiple cases because friends and roommates acted responsibly by seeking help.
- Financial Fraud: A student reported an identity theft incident involving remote access to their bank account; the breach was caught early before funds were lost.
- Narcotics: Security guard patrols discovered and turned over two old marijuana joints found near the Gamma Phi Beta house for destruction.
- Liquor Laws & False ID: During a lockout assist at House 90, officers encountered an intoxicated minor in possession of a fraudulent ID and multiple bottles of liquor. The matter was referred to the Dean of Students.
Facilities & Hazards
- Facility Misuse: A group of students entered Mohler Laboratory and activated an emergency safety shower, flooding the room. The responsible parties were identified via access logs and referred for Disorderly Conduct.
- Hazardous Conditions: Officers assisted with a potential sinkhole report at Alpha Epsilon Pi, a significant plumbing leak at Zeta Tau Alpha, and a squirrel trapped in the kitchen ventilation system at House 85.
Security Alarms & Unauthorized Access
Suspicious Activity
- Suspicious Person Inquiry: Staff at the Alumni Memorial Building reported a male taking photos and asking concerning questions about the President’s residence. The individual was identified with the help of regional partners and flagged for future trespass monitoring.
- Building Writing: Officers investigated Mandarin Chinese writing on a flower pot at Chandler Ullmann reported to mean "Kill." The investigation determined that a graduate student wrote this as a "cool" joke for friends; no genuine threat was found.
Security Breaches & Alarms
- Unauthorized Presence: Students were located in Christmas-Saucon Hall after hours; officers will continue periodic checks to ensure building safety after closing.
- Gates & Doors: Officers discovered and secured open gates at Sayre Fields and Ulrich Fields. A mechanical door at Williams Hall was found to be malfunctioning and was referred to Facilities.
- Alarms: Officers responded to one burglar alarm at Linderman Library (triggered during system testing) and six fire/trouble alarms caused primarily by cooking or hair care products.
Traffic Stops & Enforcement
- Traffic Safety: Eight traffic stops were conducted. Seven involved stop sign violations resulting in verbal warnings.
- Reckless Driving: A student received a citation for reckless driving after performing "donuts" and "drifting" in an arena parking lot.
Service & Logistics
- Lockouts: LUPD provided 42 building, residential, and office lockouts for students and faculty this week. Two vehicle lockouts were also successfully resolved.
- Welfare Checks: Officers completed four welfare checks to confirm student safety. In all instances, contact was made and it was determined no further police action was necessary.
- Assistance & Medical: LUPD provided three vehicle jump-starts and two safety escorts. Officers also assisted with four injury reports (falls and sprains) in coordination with Lehigh and Bethlehem EMS.
Lessons Learned: This week serves as a reminder that safety systems, such as emergency showers and fire alarms, are critical infrastructure intended only for emergencies; misusing them diverts police and maintenance resources and can cause extensive property damage. We continue to see the life-saving benefit of the Medical Amnesty policy, as students prioritize their friends' health by calling for help in high-risk situations. Finally, we encourage students to double-check their belongings when using the campus bus system, as several phones and IDs were recovered from drivers this week.