If a laptop goes missing, if a stranger is prowling around campus, or if a student leaves the library at 3 a.m., escorts, security guards and officers show up to help. 

But when students all go home for a break, as they did for the past week, Campus Police Chief Jack Moorman said the police force is downgraded, but not by much. 

“When students are on break, it would be logical to expect that we would have less crime because we have very few people remaining on campus to be victimized,” Moorman said. “However, the flip-side is that there are fewer eyes and ears out there to report suspicious activity, and there is more opportunity for property crimes to go undetected.” 

According to the online Campus Police Daily Crime log, there were 61 reported crimes between March 3 and March 7, when students were in class. Between March 10 and Friday, when students were on spring break, 45 crimes were reported. 

When students are gone, it’s easier for someone to commit a burglary or larceny undetected, Moorman said. During the same Monday – Friday periods, counts of larceny and breaking and entering exactly doubled when students left campus. 

In response, Campus Police keeps the same number of officers on patrol during classes and during breaks. In addition to detectives, mounted patrol officers and other administrative, supervisory and specialized positions, five officers and one supervisor patrol campus 24 hours a day, year-round, regardless of whether or not students are in class. 

Nighttime, however, is different. When classes are in session, four contracted security guards work each night. One guard drives a safety escort vehicle, and the other three lock buildings, conduct foot patrols or escort students on foot, if needed, Moorman said. 

“Since buildings are left locked and students are not on campus during break, we reduce the number of security guards on campus during spring and summer breaks,” Moorman said. 

Summer break is no different from spring break. Because N.C. State still hosts summer sessions and a variety of camps and activities for non-college students, Campus Police is still needed, Moorman said.

“Those events keep us busy too, as it brings different concerns because we have many people on campus who are not familiar with campus, like our students are,” Moorman said.