Conservative Group Urges Crackdown on Hidden Campus Crime

Petition calls for centralized database and new transparency report on political, religious violence

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:09pm

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A conservative legal group, America First Legal (AFL), has filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Education urging officials to overhaul how crime data is reported on college campuses. AFL argues that current reporting rules under the Clery Act allow schools to obscure the true scope of campus disorder, particularly when it comes to protest-related violence involving threats, assaults, and harassment tied to political or religious beliefs.

Why it matters

The petition comes as colleges nationwide have faced a surge in high-profile incidents involving protests turning violent, clashes between rival groups, and reports of intimidation targeting students over political and religious views. AFL believes parents and students are being left in the dark about safety risks on campuses.

The details

AFL's petition calls for the creation of a centralized, publicly accessible database of campus crime logs nationwide, as well as a new 'Political and Religious Violence Transparency Report' to document incidents and the university's response. The group is also pushing for penalties, including fines of up to $71,545 per violation, for schools that fail to comply.

  • AFL filed the supplemental petition on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

America First Legal (AFL)

A conservative legal group that filed the petition with the U.S. Department of Education.

Emily Percival

Senior counsel at America First Legal.

U.S. Department of Education

The government agency that AFL is urging to overhaul campus crime reporting requirements.

Clery Act

The federal law that currently requires colleges to maintain daily crime logs, but AFL argues the information is scattered, inconsistent, and hard to access.

University of California at Berkeley

A campus that experienced protest-related unrest during a Turning Point USA event, prompting a Justice Department investigation.

University of Michigan

A school that dealt with hostile environments during protests addressing the war in Gaza, leading to safety and discrimination concerns for Jewish students.

Columbia University

Another school that faced campus tensions during protests related to the war in Gaza.

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What they’re saying

“AFL's petition today brings a new level of accountability to college campuses.”

— Emily Percival, Senior counsel at America First Legal

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Education will review AFL's petition and determine if changes to campus crime reporting requirements are warranted.

The takeaway

This petition highlights growing concerns about the transparency and accountability of campus safety data, as colleges face increasing tensions and violence tied to political and ideological disputes. The outcome could have significant implications for how universities disclose crime information to students, parents, and the public.