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Crime on College
Campuses
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ROME, Ga., April 15, 2004 -- As
millions of college students return to their classes
following spring break some will be disappointed to
find that they had visitors while they were away --
burglars. |
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34,573 serious crimes occurred on the nation's college
campuses in 2002 |
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Crime on campus doesn't necessarily take a
break, in fact, the lack of students on campus may result in a
rash of burglaries as criminals take advantage of fewer eyes
to observe their larcenies. But victims can at least take some
solace in the fact that crime on campus nationwide is up only
slightly.
Despite record enrollment at the nation's
colleges and universities serious crimes committed on campus
rose less than two percent based upon reported criminal
offenses in the 2002 reporting year as required by federal law
under the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy
and Campus Crime Statistics Act."
Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc., an independent
educational research and consulting organization in Rome,
Georgia, compared on-campus crimes reported to the U.S.
Department of Education under the Clery Act at public and
private, nonprofit, four-year institutions and compared them
to the crimes reported in 2001. There were a total to 34,573
serious crimes on the nation's college campuses in 2002 as
compared to 34,034 serious crimes reported in 2001, a slight
increase of just 1.58 percent.
A total of 23,136 burglaries reported on campuses in 2002
makes burglary by far the most commonly reported crime with
4,511 motor vehicle thefts ranking second. Aggravated assaults
totaled 2,220 with forcible sex offenses just slightly lower
at 2,200, robberies at 1,503, and 948 arsons. A total of 21
murders/non-negligent manslaughters, 32 non-forcible sex
offenses and two negligent manslaughters were reported
nationwide.
"Providing a safe campus environment is a primary concern of
every college and university. Parents sending a child off to
college this fall can and should get the most recent reports
required under the Clery Act. Colleges and universities are
required to provide a copy of the three most recent years of
crimes on their campus free of charge to anyone who requests
it. All you have to do is ask," according to Lewis T. Lindsey,
Jr. president of the educational consulting firm.
Students should always keep these basic safety tips in mind:
1) Walk or park
only in well-lighted areas -- light deters criminals,
2) Lock your door, many burglaries are not forced entry with
the thief just walking in.
3) Leave expensive jewelry at home, etch your name and an ID
number you make up, (never use your Social Security.
This invites identity theft) prominently on all
electronics, including stereos and computer equipment.
4) Most sex crimes occur between acquaintances and many
involve the use of alcohol by the perpetrator, the victim or
both.
5) Don't put yourself in a situation where you can become a
victim.
"Students must assume most of the responsibility for their
own safety. Even colleges with low crime rates can do just so
much to protect their students," said Lindsey.
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