Though parents and incoming students may have heard horror
stories about the dangers of rape and other violent crime at
college campuses, theft remains the biggest threat facing students
living on campus.
Based on 2004 statistics, the most recent available, violent
crimes accounted for 3 percent of crimes reported to the university
police, while more than $1.5 million worth of property was reported
stolen.
Most of the property crime was larceny, including bicycle
thefts, which Nancy Greenstein, director of police community
services for the university police, called “crimes of
opportunity.”
But the number of property crimes have been on the decline since
2000, when 2,126 property crimes were reported ““ decreasing
to 1,726 crimes reported in 2004.
The best way for students to protect themselves from being
victims of theft, or any other type of crime, is to be aware of
their surroundings, Greenstein said.
Aggravated assault was the most commonly reported violent crime
in 2004, with 21 incidents reported to police.
Most of those assaults occurred off campus at social
gatherings.
Based on the most recent statistics, there were also several
rapes reported. In 2004, seven rapes and one attempted rape were
reported.
In a majority of the cases, the victim and the perpetrator were
acquaintances, and alcohol was involved in at least four of the
incidents.
There have been no homicides reported since 2000.
Compiled from Bruin staff reports.