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Law Enforcement and Safety

Crime Log & Bulletins

Access daily crime logs and bulletins published by USC Police Department.

Daily Crime Log / Fire Log

Access a chronological record of all criminal incidents and residential fires reported to the USC Police Department within the past two months. Our Records Unit maintains updated current and past Crime/ Fire Logs. You can download one of these logs here or contact our Records Unit (803-777-5282) for the most updated copy or past copies.   View Log [pdf]

Older Crime/Fire Logs
Contact the Records Unit at 803-777-5282.

Copy of an Incident Report
Contact the Records Unit at 803-777-5282. 


Crime Bulletins

If a situation or incident is not immediately life threatening or is contained, a crime bulletin may be posted to provide a timely warning to the university community. Crime Bulletins are issued when pertinent information is available and may also include relevant safety tips. Unless an on-going threat is present, Crime Bulletins may be removed at the end of each semester.

Type of Incident: Community Awareness Bulletin – Offensive and Racist Text Messages

Date of Bulletin: November 08, 2024

Location of Incident:  Texts Received Across the Country

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

The University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD) is working with state and federal authorities after offensive and racist text messages were received by some members of the Carolina Community.

Similar text messages have been received by students at other universities across the country. There is currently no indication that USC students were specifically targeted and there is no information of a credible threat to USC students.

Members of the Carolina Community who receive threats of physical violence are asked to contact USCPD immediately by calling 803-777-4215 or text using the RAVE Guardian Safety App.

The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX is on a mission to create an environment where all people are treated with dignity and respect and have an equal opportunity to learn and work at a university free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. To seek support and/or make a report, contact the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX.

Type of Incident: Community Awareness Bulletin – Sextortion Threats

Date of Bulletin: January 24, 2024

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

The University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD) and other law enforcement agencies are warning community members of an evolving trend in a scam occurring across the nation: young adults being targeted by bad actors using sextortion as a means of financial gain.

Although USCPD has not received recent complaints involving sextortion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently issued a nationwide public service announcement reporting a 20% increase in financially motivated sextortion cases.

What is sextortion? The FBI defines sextortion as a crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private or sensitive materials if you don’t give them what they want, like sexual favors, images of a sexual nature, or, in this case, money.

Predators seek out unsuspecting victims online in chat rooms, social media platforms, dating sites and gaming applications. After befriending their targets, these predators convince the suspects to send them sexually explicit material. Once they have the images, videos and live-stream recordings they want, the criminals demand money in exchange for not distributing the photos and videos to a victim’s family, friends or colleagues.

Anyone can fall victim to these crimes and it’s more common than most think.

Financially motivated schemes like sextortion are on the rise. It’s important that young adults know the dangers of these scams and how to prevent themselves from becoming victims. 

  • Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone—once it’s out there, it’s nearly impossible to get back.
  • Don’t open attachments or click on links from people you don’t know. Hackers use malware to gain access to your devices and can control your webcam and microphone without you knowing.
  • Turn off your devices and webcams when you aren’t using them. Camera covers are readily available from retailers.
  • If you think you’re being exploited, report the predator’s account via the platform’s safety features.
  • If someone you’re talking to online is acting suspiciously, don’t engage. Block them from contacting you.
  • If you feel like an online conversation has turned into exploitation, screenshot all the interactions to help law enforcement identify the predator.
  • Never send money to strangers.
  • Don’t click on unsolicited messages or photos; be wary of unsolicited friend or follow requests.
  • Be careful what you share online. Scammers use personal details found on social media accounts to gain your trust.

Due to national trends involving sexual scams and sextortion threats, USCPD is issuing a warning to the Carolina Community. If you feel you have been a victim of a sextortion scheme, please contact USCPD immediately to file a report: 803-777-4215.  Sextortion is illegal and help is available.

Type of Incident: Community Warning – Lethal Amounts of Fentanyl Found in Counterfeit Pills

Date of Bulletin: August 27, 2021

UPDATE: September 28, 2021 - DEA Warns that Pills Purchased Outside of a Licensed Pharmacy are Illegal, Dangerous, and Potentially Deadly

Location of Incident: USC Campus and Surrounding Areas

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

USCPD and other law enforcement agencies have seized heroin and other illegal drugs that have been laced with Fentanyl and other substances.  Fentanyl is now being found in counterfeit prescription medication and is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.  According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a significant number of college students purchase potentially counterfeit Adderall and Xanax from dark web drug markets and/or through social media.  

USCPD is aware that some USC students have purchased prescription drugs illegally online, from friends, or from contacts made on social media.  Law enforcement agencies across the country have found that many of these purchased drugs are counterfeit and contain lethal amounts of Fentanyl or Methamphetamine.  USCPD is warning students who purchase Adderall, Xanax, Oxycodone, or other drugs without a prescription that in addition to potential criminal penalties, these counterfeit pills may kill you.

Due to national trends involving counterfeit pills and other Fentanyl laced drugs, as well as the presence of these substances in the Columbia area, USCPD is issuing a warning to the Carolina Community.

A document from the DEA can be found here: COUNTERFEIT DRUGS FACT SHEET.

UofSC Good Samaritan Policy

The Medical Overdose Treatment policy was created to encourage students to make responsible decisions and seek assistance for fellow students who may be experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose. 

Students or student groups, who may be in violation of code of conduct policies or public health directives, but seek medical assistance for others experiencing an alcohol and drug overdose, will receive educational and supportive measures over disciplinary sanctions.

 

 


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