UT Police Responds to Rise in Motorized Scooter and Electric Bike Thefts on Campus

As scooters grow in popularity as a quick and convenient way to travel across the UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson campuses, UT Police is addressing an increase in motorized scooter and electric bike (EB) thefts with proactive measures and community alerts.

Motorized Scooters and electric bikes have become a common sight across campus, providing students, staff and visitors with an efficient and eco-friendly way to navigate the busy medical center. Unfortunately, their rising popularity and resale value has also made them a frequent target for theft.

What some riders may not realize is that under Texas state law, motorized scooters and other electric vehicles are classified as motor vehicles. This classification means scooter EB thefts fall under the federal Jeanne Clery Act, which requires universities to report motor vehicle thefts that occur on or around campus.

The Clery Act mandates that Timely Warnings be issued to the campus community for:

1. All Clery Crimes,
2. occurring on our Clery geography,
3. that are reported to our CSAs or the police department, and
4. are considered to represent a serious or “continuing threat” to our campus community. (The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting) These Timely Warnings serve an two important purposes: first, they keep our institution in compliance with federal law, and second, they keep our workforce members and students, and visitors informed of active crime trends, reminding the community to take simple precautions to deter theft.

Even though these scooter/bike thefts are categorized as property crimes, it is important to remember that these thefts still present a danger to our community members.  Senior Inspector Dunn explained why UT Police treats scooter thefts as a serious concern

 “Officers have made numerous arrests of individuals for theft or criminal trespass and found these persons to have extensive criminal histories which include violent crimes.  Recently we have been able to obtain warrants on two suspects for scooter thefts and found one to have a criminal history.” 

UT Police encourages scooter users to:

• Always secure scooter with a sturdy lock.
• Park in designated or well-lit areas.
• Report suspicious behavior or activity immediately to 713-792-2890.

By staying alert and taking extra precautions, members of the campus community can help reduce theft and support UT Police in our ongoing efforts to keep campus safe.