There are certain times throughout the school year when campus police see an increase in criminal activity on campus. Around the holidays is one such time. So is the beginning of the school year.
This time of year, when more students are out late at night and there’s an increase of students staying on campus on the weekend, more students are vulnerable to become the victim of a crime.
Theft is by far the most often reported crime on campus. Last year, 233 thefts were reported on campus, and another 230 thefts were reported in public areas in the off-campus jurisdiction of the campus police. These thefts largely occurred when personal property was left unattended in a public place, such as in a classroom or in the library.
In the last three years, the number of thefts on campus has gradually decreased. In 2004, 251 thefts were reported, and in 2003, there were 282 reported on-campus thefts.
Robberies, which are different from theft in that they involved violence or the threat of violence, are much rarer on and around campus. In 2005, there were 15 reported robberies on campus, and 44 reported robberies in public areas just off-campus.
In order to deter theft and aid in the recovery of stolen or lost items, campus police offers a free registration service to students, faculty and staff for computers and bicycles.
To participate in the service, students must bring their property to the police station at 1101 W. Montgomery Ave. There, the police will record the serial number of these items.
According to the police, this generally helps aid in the recovery of lost or stolen property, especially computers.
While thefts are the most reported crimes on campus, other crimes do occur, albeit much more rarely.
Forcible sex offenses are not often reported on campus, and according to police, virtually all rapes that occur at Temple are date rapes. In 2005, there were five reported rapes on-campus, one off-campus and four in the residence halls.
When a student is raped at Temple, regardless of if it was a date rape or a forcible stranger assault, the victim can either notify the Department of Campus Safety Services, or the Philadelphia Police Department. Both departments will allow the student the option of filing a report and pursuing a criminal investigation.
Campus police also make arrests for alcohol and drug violations. Last year, there were 47 arrests made on-campus property for liquor-law violations, and 84 disciplinary actions taken through the university because of alcohol on-campus, including in the residence halls.
Off-campus, there were 42 arrests made for liquor-law violations in 2005, and another 24 disciplinary actions or referrals to the university.
Only six drug abuse violations and arrests occurred on-campus last year, and eight instances of drug abuse disciplinary actions or referrals. Five drug arrests were made last year on off-campus property.
These statistics, along with other statistics of crimes committed on and off-campus, can be found in the annual security report on the campus safety services website. There, students can also check the daily crime log, as well as find victim resources and support.
Emily Catalano can be reached at catalano@temple.edu
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