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: Assisting Other Agency (Columbia Police Department)
Armed Robbery During Marketplace Transaction
Date and Time of Incident: December 10 at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Location of Incident: City of Columbia – near the 1000 block of Whaley Street
Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only; no imminent danger to community
On Tuesday, December 10, an individual was the victim of a reported armed robbery near campus. The individual conducted a Facebook Marketplace exchange at an off-campus location. During the transaction, the buyer attempted to steal an item of value from the seller. The buyer then presented a firearm and took off with the item.
Investigators are looking for any information related to this incident. The suspect is male and was reportedly last seen riding in a vehicle with two other males.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department or USCPD. Tips can be submitted using the RAVE Guardian Safety App or through CRIMESTOPPERS.
Submit CRIMESTOPPERS Tips in 1 of 3 Ways:
1. Mobile Tip
The P3 Tips app is available for Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from
the Apple App Store or Google Play. Download the P3 Tips app by clicking on the orange
Mobile App button. You can attach videos and images to the tip. Be as detailed as
possible. Save your Tip ID & password that is provided once your tip is submitted.
2. Web Tip
Web tips can be submitted by clicking on the orange Submit a Tip button. Provide all
pertinent information in the web tip form. Be as detailed as possible. You can attach
videos, images, documents, and audio files. Save your Tip ID & password that is provided
once your tip is submitted.
3. Phone Tip
Tipsters still have the option to call the tip line by dialing 1-888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
Save your Tip ID & password that is provided once your tip is submitted.
How to Stay Safe While Shopping and Selling Online
USCPD knows many students use online marketplaces to buy and sell items. Officers
encourage students, faculty and staff to practice safe exchanges and reduce risks
by taking these steps:
1. Use the Rave Guardian Safety app while making a transaction. You can use the safety
timer, panic button and texting features to keep USCPD notified of your location.
2. Contact police immediately if the situation seems unsafe. If you get a bad feeling
about someone or the location, or if the situation seems suspicious, call 9-1-1.
3. Always pick a very public and safe place to make an exchange. Students can use the
parking lots of police stations to meet buyers and sellers.
4. Bring someone with you during the transaction. There is safety in numbers. Having
another person as a witness can deter criminal activity.
5. Never disclose personal information. Don’t share your home address, where you work
or other personal data. If you must share some details, proceed with caution.
6. Be aware of fake profiles. The person on the other end of the transaction may not
be who you think. Fraudsters use fake profiles to lure potential victims. Verify sellers
using marketplace ratings.
7. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If the price seems like a steal, be
very cautious of the listing. It may be a counterfeited good.
8. Limit risks by how you handle money. If you pay in advance, you may not receive your
item. Use instant electronic transfers or small amounts of cash at the time of exchange.
Be very cautious if the other party wants to use gift cards as payment.
9. Watch out for scams. Scammers use marketplaces to defraud victims. Don’t send deposits
for high-value items without seeing the goods first. Confirm ownership before making
any payment.
10. Trust your instincts. Taking steps to ensure your exchanges are as safe as possible
will reduce the risk of being scammed or swindled. When in doubt, reach out to USCPD.
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.