The UCSD Police Department released a summary of last year’s campus criminal activity last week, with vehicle theft being the only major exception to a general trend of little to no increase in crime.
UCSD police officer Arnold D. Moss prepares to issue a ticket for illegal parking. Parking violations vastly outnumber other crimes at UCSD.
The figures were reported in the 2005-06 Clery Report, the annual, government-mandated summary of campus crime statistics and departmental anti-crime efforts designed to raise awareness and security for students and faculty members.
Most of the categories of crime on campus have declined or shown little significant increase from the last year, with decreases in the number of burglaries and arsons, and similar numbers of sex offenses and robberies reported to the police department and other local agencies.
Many of the crimes reported on campus, especially robbery and theft, are crimes of opportunity – instances in which the victim was selected at random, UCSD Police Lt. David Rose said.
This year, there were 55 burglaries on campus, down from 63 instances in 2004. A large chunk of those crimes involved bicycles, underscoring the campus’ continual grappling with the problem.
Rose suggested that in order to develop a safer environment on campus, the public should remain vigilant and build the foundations of a stronger rapport with law enforcement officials.
“”We subscribe to the community-oriented policing philosophy,”” he said. “”There’s no perfect mousetrap that’s going to prevent theft.””
However, individuals can lower the risk of their property being stolen by taking simple precautions such as locking their doors and keeping valuables out of plain sight, Rose said.
By far, the largest increase listed in the report was that of vehicle theft, which jumped to 63 incidents from 47 reported last year.
UCPD Cpl. Kris McCollough, a crime prevention specialist, compiled a safety brief of recommendations for students and faculty to keep their vehicles safe from theft. She suggested double-checking that one’s car is locked, setting the alarm if applicable and periodically checking on the vehicle and the people in the surrounding area. She advises that students avoid keeping valuables in cars – either hidden or stored in places such as under the seat – or leaving a running vehicle unattended for any amount of time.
The report also shows a decrease in arrests for alcohol offenses, with 17 people arrested in 2005-06 as opposed to 29 the prior year. However, it also showed a slight increase in the number of alcohol-related disciplinary referrals. According to Rose, there is not necessarily a connection between the two figures, and he added that there has been no major change in how alcohol violations have been handled by officers.
According to Rose, a potential factor in the decreased crime is the department’s newly computerized dispatch and record system, which aids officers in analyzing trends in certain crimes as well as creating customized reports.
According to Rose, the department is satisfied with the reduction in incidents, but will strive to continue to reduce the numbers in upcoming years.
“”We’re never content,”” Rose said. “”We’re pleased with the numbers now, but we’re always looking to make it better.””
As detailed in the report, the department holds more than 75 different workshops throughout the year, including self-defense classes, disaster preparedness drills and alcohol and drug awareness workshops. They also distribute more than 35 pamphlets to students and staff on such issues as how to help protect against theft, rape and sexual harassment.
Information on the workshops and pamphlets is available on the police department’s Web site, Rose said.
The Clery Act has mandated that universities release information regarding crime on and around campuses since 1990, in response to the 1986 murder of Lehigh University student Jeanne Clery.
According to the report, there have been no murder or manslaughter incidents at UCSD in at least the last three years.
