Public Safety reports increase in thefts on campus in 1999

Students reported 30 more thefts in 1999 than they did in 1998, according to Public Safety's annual campus crime statistics, which will be released today.

The reported thefts totalled 369 in 1999. Of those thefts, bicycles were the most-stolen item, totalling 130. Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist Barry Weiser also said more bicycles were registered in the first month of school this year than in the previous two years. Also, Public Safety has distributed more bicycle locks this year than in the past.

Weiser said Public Safety collects crime statistics to watch for developing crime trends. "We're going to see if the statistics are more meaningful in the next year or two years," Weiser said.

In addition to the bike thefts, there were 58 incidents of reported burglary, 18 of which were forced entries.

Public Safety officers also cited 133 students for violating the University's alcohol policy. They made eight arrests for drug possession and two for alcohol-related offenses.

In 1999, Public Safety arrested one individual for sexual assault. There were five cases of sex offenses on and off campus that were not reported first to Public Safety and so were not investigated by the department.

The report also notes six cases of vandalism involving "symbolic graffiti." Because these incidents did not involve any acts of violence, they are not considered hate crimes, Weiser said.

Princeton Borough and Township police reported to Public Safety numerous incidents that occurred at off-campus sites owned by student organizations or at sites adjacent to campus during 1999.

These included 29 burglaries, two motor vehicle thefts, one sex offense, one drug offense and three alcohol violations.

Weiser said despite the increased thefts, on the whole the crime rate in Princeton remains comparatively low. "Even if we compare nationwide with other schools our size, we're pretty good," he said.