Anamarie Michael parked her Chevorlet Camaro one night, expecting to return the next day and drive peacefully away. Instead, she found glass and an empty parking spot.

Car thefts and other motor vehicle crimes have been a considerable concern on the UofM campus for many students, especially since the number of cases has risen in recent years.

The number of car thefts in 2022, the most recent year of statistics available, show a 422% increase from 2021. This is in addition to the 80% increase from 2020 to 2021.

In comparison, UT Knoxville and UT Chattanooga showed at most at 67% increase at UT Chattanooga. Christian Brothers University, located in Memphis, had a 200% increase – from 1 car theft to 3.

While these are not direct comparisons due to the size of the universities and the difference in city populations, UofM shows a disturbingly significant difference.

Chief Humphrey, the recently instated Police Chief at UofM, said he wants to remedy car thefts by providing a stronger on-campus presence.

“Those are the things we’re trying to improve, our visibility.” said Humphrey. “A lot of times it’s for deterring. If someone who’s going do something sees that light, they know there’s a presence there.”

According to Humphrey, there was an active car theft stopped by police officers who were alerted to suspicious activity by a student.

“If that student hadn’t been comfortable enough to do that, the officers wouldn’t have caught this person in the act,” he said.

There have been 17 auto thefts within campus bounds reported since the start of this year, with additional reports coming from the neighborhoods around campus.

Between Feb.1 and April 4 there were 59 cars reported stolen within a 1-mile radius of campus. There have also been multiple break-ins and subsequent thefts from cars, Michael’s Camara included.

“Some of these streets are so dark,” said 22-year-old Will Lamb, a Memphis resident. “We need brighter streetlights, at the very least.”

According to Shelby County youth crime records, 23% of juvenile charges in Shelby County were motor vehicle related.

While many have not been directly affected by the rise in motor vehicle related crime, Michaels and others feel it’s effects greatly. It remains to be seen if the trend will continue.