Rapes quadruple while drug abuse, alcohol violations also on the rise at New Mexico State University

According to the university’s 2019 Annual Security Report, multiple reported crimes are on the rise at New Mexico State University.

Between 2017 and 2018, reported rapes on campus quadrupled from 3 to 12, which worried young women on campus.

“I check my surroundings to see if there’s anything off, or that looks a little weird, or watch people and their body language,” said Ally Lopez, a freshman majoring in athletic training.

According to the data, drug abuse cases increased from 65 to 107. In addition, liquor law violations increased from 75 to 114.

“I think it’s really sad to see that’s happening,” said Kayleigh Hennemann, a senior majoring in Communications Disorders.

However, NMSU Police Chief Stephen Lopez told ABC-7 the rise in reports might be a good thing.

“While the numbers make it look like the crimes actually increased, we don’t believe that’s the case,” Chief Lopez said. “We actually feel encouraged that victims trust us and are willing to come forward.”

“When I was a freshman living in the dorms, everybody always had alcohol,” Hennemann said. “It’s sad to say, but there was even like drugs going around on campus and stuff, and they don’t do the best job at monitoring it.”​

On the contrary, Chief Lopez told ABC-7 that more students are reporting alcohol abuse.

“When it comes to the alcohol, it actually looks like this is most likely a change in culture,” he said. Other students are less tolerant of people bringing drunk around them, because we’re getting these calls from other students.”​

He also said his officers are finding more drugs during traffic stops.

“As the discussion of marijuana legalization has occurred in New Mexico, we are seeing an increase in the number of people we stop on the streets,” Lopez said. “Traffic stops (with) paraphernalia or drugs with them in small amounts.”

You can also read UTEP’s Annual Security Report, with crime statistics broken down by location.