MSU spokesman Jason Cody questioned the veracity of the claim, saying they didn't list their methodology. For comparison he sent the results of the 50 Safest College Towns in America, from The SafeWise Report. They claimed to compile data from "recent FBI Crime Reports with our own research."

MSU ranked 38, although Cody did not say this was looked at positively in terms of how accurate the data is.

He said they also did not list their methodology, saying "rankings must be done in a scientific manner to be valid."

"My point is that a vast majority of these Internet rankings are unreliable, whether they attempt to portray MSU in a good light or bad light," Cody said in an email. 

In regards to the original CrimeWatchDaily survey, what was not considered was convictions or per capita the size of the school. They also did not take into account factors like simply how effective or vigilant the police force is.

Once per capita student populations are considered, universities with enrollment above 20,000 students, MSU ranks fourth in per capita crime rates in the country.

The jurisdiction of MSU police is a complicated matter. Previously reported by The State News, MSU police's main jurisdiction included MSU's main campus. 

But that's not all.

Because MSU has a number of satellite properties in Ingham County that officers frequently travel to, they are deputized which gives them authority to act outside of their normal jurisdiction, MSU police Lt. Randy Holton said.

If they didn't have that, should an officer come across any suspicious behavior or anything else compelling them to action, they would have to first get permission from the police force in that area.

In planned situations, different police forces ask for outside help, one notable occurrence being during the Final Four Cedar Village celebrations last spring.

However, in emergency situations, officers can be quickly diverted to areas outside their jurisdiction if another department requests it. 

With a number of freshmen new to campus, for many of them being the first time away from home, certain safety decisions are often overlooked. 

An unsuspecting freshmen could be hit with a Minor in Possession of alcohol if they aren't careful.

Police aren't likely to go actively searching for somebody under the age of 21 who's drinking.

They are, however, looking for individuals bringing an undue amount of attention to themselves, such as one case early in welcome week where an individual was arrested and given an MIP for trying to climb one side of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. 

Police are more concerned about safety, ensuring an individual is not a danger to either themselves or people around them. 

Crime Tracker 

For a more detailed look at the locations of police incidents on campus, see The State News Crime Tracker, updated most weekdays.

This does not represent every crime or incident report on campus. MSU police, bounded by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act discloses information about every incident at MSU.  

This does not take into account crimes reported during the MSU vs. Oregon game.

East Lansing also maps crime in its jurisdiction.