The number of alcohol-related arrests and referrals to a dean for disciplinary action rose signifcantly last year – according to Public Safety's annual compilation of crime statistics. In 2001, there were 14 alcohol arrests on campus, up from only two in 1999 and four in 2000.
The number of referrals to a dean for possible disciplinary action more than doubled from 107 in 2000 to 244 in 2001.
Unlike these statistics, many of the numbers have remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2001.
Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist Barry Weiser attributed the rise in alcohol-related referrals to stricter enforcement of alcohol policies on campus.
He said Public Safety hopes this increased effort will decrease the overall number of crimes committed at the University.
"Alcohol is the predominant factor in crimes on campus," Weiser said. "A lot of our work surrounds those who indulge in too much alcohol."
Alcohol-related arrests are the jurisdiction of Borough Police, but students who are observed committing an offense by public saftey officers are reffered to deans for possible disciplinary action.
During the last three years, there has been an increase in the number of referrals based on drug violations, despite a decrease in the number of arrests for similar violations.
Sometimes there is not enough evidence to warrant an arrest, Weiser explained. "Maybe there should have been more arrests," he added, saying that each case has difference circumstances.
Twice as many forcible sexual assaults were reported to Public Safety for investigation last year as there were the year before. Of the four that were reported in 2001, three occurred in dormitories, and two arrests were made. Six additional sexual assaults were reported to other officials in the University community.
The number of student-owned cars stolen from onand off-campus lots remained steady. Four incidents of the crime have been reported in each of the past three years. Weiser explained that while not perfectly safe, cars are more secure in campus parking lots than they would be in apartment lots or on the street.
The University saw two weapons violations in 2001, both concerning the inappropriate possession of bows and arrows on campus.
Last year there were two hate or bias incidents, one of symbolic graffiti and one of harassment.
Bike theft continues to be a problem on campus, with 193 stolen last year alone. The total number of larconies, however, dropped from 485 to 446.
The number of burglaries also fell from 82 in 2000 to 60 in 2001.
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