MU touts decrease in liquor law violations, but arrests increase

The University of Missouri is touting a decrease in liquor law violations, but liquor law arrests went up in 2017, according to new data from MU’s annual fire and safety report.

According to the report, there were 419 liquor law violations in 2017 compared to 800 in 2016, about a 48 percent decrease. In 2017, there were 216 liquor law arrests, but only 196 in 2016, which is about a 10 percent increase.

MU police spokesperson Sara Diedrich said liquor law violations are offenses “that could also result in an arrest if committed again.” She said one example is a minor in possession.

“However, student offenders are sometimes first referred to the Office of Accountability and Support where their cases are reviewed and possible disciplinary action is taken. If those same students have similar issues again, they are usually arrested and sent into the court system,” Diedrich wrote in an email Wednesday.

Diedrich said some examples of crimes that fall under liquor law arrests are possession of alcohol under 21, consumption of alcohol under 21 and providing alcohol to a minor. She said MUPD has an authorized strength of 50 sworn officers and worked near capacity much of 2017.

“Campus safety and security is a collaborative effort at MU,” MUPD Chief Doug Schwandt said in a news release. “We partner with many departments on campus that have a critical role in fostering campus safety, including the Department of Residential Life and Office for Civil Rights & Title IX.”

The number of reported rapes decreased in 2017, but stalking reports saw an increase. There was also an increase in domestic violence reports but a decrease in drug law arrests.

To read the full report click here.