William Wieneke, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, had his bike stolen last fall in front of Territorial Hall. After being told to call the University of Minnesota Police Department’s non-emergency number, he was left with no help.

“I called the number and the cop said nothing could be done because it happens so much,” Wieneke said.

Wieneke is one of many students on campus who has felt the surge of vehicle theft. 

The Numbers

In their 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, the University’s Police Department (UMPD) announced 63 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2023, more than double the reports from two years prior. On campus, reported motor vehicle theft has been growing since 2020.

This report marks four years in a row that vehicle theft has risen on campus, even as overall crime has dropped. 

A motor vehicle refers to any vehicle that is mechanically powered. This includes electric scooters and e-bikes, which students often use to get around a large campus like Minnesota’s. 

How we compare

Campuses in the Big Ten vary largely in crime statistics, but the University’s issues with motor vehicle theft stand out. 

Minnesota has almost double the number of reports of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who has the second most reported thefts among Big Ten universities surrounding Minnesota. 

Sources: UMPD 2024 Safety Report, UWPD 2024 Safety Report, UNO 2024 Safety Report, U Iowa 2024 Report

Despite the large disparity in reports, the universities hold similar student populations.

Though the University of Minnesota is the largest in the area with 54,890 total students enrolled in the 2023-2024 school year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison enrolled 52,097 students for the fall term. 

The Minnesota Daily reached out to UMPD for comment, but they did not respond in time for the story. However, in a previous article, University spokesperson Jake Ricker said that the university monitors a network of security cameras in order to detect suspicious activity and catch potential thieves.

Bicycles not included

The motor vehicle categorization does not include bicycles. Bicycle theft, according to students, is a major issue on campus, even if it does not show up in the annual report.

Jodi Anderson, a fourth-year at the University, said when her bike was stolen last year, she was unable to get food or travel long distances.

“At the time, I used it as my main transportation to get groceries and also to get to my boyfriend’s house,” Anderson said. “So I was pretty much stranded.”

According to Anderson, some students resort to removing pieces of the bike in order to prevent theft. Students will remove tires, seats and handlebars, carrying them into classes and study rooms in an effort to dissuade would-be thieves.

Without these methods, Anderson said thieves will go as far as stealing individual parts off of the bike’s frame.

“One of my roommate’s friends had his bike tires stolen from his bike right outside of his apartment building,” Anderson said. “The frame was still there, but not the tires.”

Bike theft on and near campus has become so common that the University’s Parking and Transportation services offer contracted bike shelters and lockers for an added layer of protection. Despite this, many students cannot afford these options and are left locking bikes with locks that can easily be broken or cut.

Anderson said her situation left her wishing there was more the UMPD could have done to help.

“I didn’t really know what else they could do, but also I just had my property stolen and I have no answers,” Anderson said. “I just wish they could’ve done more.”

Note: These statistics look strictly at on-campus reports and do not include off-campus incidents in areas such as the Dinkytown and Como neighborhoods.