Troy's 2025 Clery Report released

The 2025 Annual Safety Report, or Jeanne Clery Act, was released last Wednesday. The Clery Act is a federal law mandating colleges and universities to report campus crime statistics for the past three years. 

According to Troy University Police Department (TUPD) Chief George Beaudry, the Clery Act is important because it provides current and prospective students with a general idea of how safe the campus is, it also helps police by identifying potential spikes in certain types of crime. 

“Under Clery there are only certain types of crime that get reported,” Beaudry said. “Most are crimes of significant nature.” 

Beaudry said the department works hard to keep crime on campus low.  

“Misdemeanor crimes like theft, harassment, phone scams, etc. are not indicated in Clery, but these are the types of crimes our office primarily responds to,” Beaudry said. “As far as our efforts to keep the numbers down, we provide 24/7 police presence, not only being reactive but being proactive with walking patrols in and around the residential and academic areas, as well as educating our community at events like Impact browse sessions, DUI safety events, etc.” 

The report this year showed a few statistics that raised the attention of The Tropolitan. The Tropolitan asked Beaudry, along with Dean of Student Services Herbert Reeves, to explain these numbers. 

Troy Univeristy has seen no reports of hate crimes in previous years- so few, in fact, Reeves found it hard to remember the last time a report came through. 

“Since we've had to report hate crimes, they've been very few far between,” Reeves said. “I’m proud of that fact.  

“I think the student body should be proud of the fact we've not had hate crimes. Those numbers have historically stayed very low.” 

There was a stark increase from 2023 to 2024 in the area of arrests for liquor law violations – from none to seven.  

“When possible, we try to defer alcohol cases to student services for disciplinary action as opposed to criminal prosecution,” Beaudry said. “We generally don’t pursue an arrest unless there is a significant issue involving alcohol use, or if it is associated with another crime etc.  

“The increase of seven  cases in 2024 that required an arrest is likely due to the individual involved doing something excessive that prompted the arrest.” 

There was a steady increase from 2022 to 2024 for arrests and disciplinary action for drug abuse violations.  

“The majority of the drug issues on campus involve marijuana,” Beaudry said. “Marijuana crimes are increasing throughout all areas of the country. 

“I believe that is a direct result of many areas legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, which has created a ‘societal acceptance’ of use. This in turn is affecting communities that still have laws prohibiting marijuana use.” 

Beaudry wants students to know drug abuse is dangerous in many ways.  

“The bottom line our students need to know is as long as it is illegal in Alabama, we will pursue prosecution and student services discipline,” Beaudry said. “Also, from a safety standpoint, our students need to understand that there are many drugs out there today that are ‘laced’ with other dangerous substances that can kill them.” 

2024 saw a multitude of domestic violence cases, in contrast to zero reports in previous years.  

“Students need to recognize the danger signs of an unhealthy relationship to include disrespectful treatment both verbally and physically, attempts to exert control over all aspects of the relationship, lack of positive support, etc.,” Beaudry said. “In the event that they recognize these signs they should seek help.” 

Reeves said the first step in avoiding violent situations is to get away from it as quickly as possible.  

“First and foremost, [students] just need to get away from the situation if they can,” Reeves said. “If I can't, then they need to scream, holler, let somebody know there's something going on, so that somebody's aware of it.” 

Beaudry and Reeves said campus has several resources available including TUPD, Student Services and the Title IX coordinator, as well as the Counseling Center. 

“We will help [students] and work with them to try to sit down and work those issues out,” Reeves said. “If it gets to the point where it becomes a violent situation, then certainly they need to report it to the police department.” 

Reeves said students on campus do a good job of alerting authorites of dangerous situations. 

“I think our students have done a pretty good job of notifying the police department when there are problems,” Reeves said. “Our police department does a great job of trying to enforce policies and laws but also finding ways to be preventive versus reactive. 

“These crime stats or crime on campus is not just the police department's responsibility, it’s everybody's responsibility, and we still go back to the old saying, if you see something, say something.” 

Students with any questions regarding the Annual Safety Report can contact Dean of Student Services Herbert Reeves at hreeves@troy.edu.