Crime is on the rise around the Evanston Campus, but University Police said the increase is not significant enough to cause worry.
“(Overall) I don’t see major (crime) problems in any certain areas,” said Lt. Nicholas Parashis of UP.
The number of liquor law violations, burglaries and assaults have gone up from 2000 to 2001, according to a campus safety report UP released Thursday.
But not all crime statistics have increased. Crimes against persons — including murder, sexual offenses, robbery and battery — have dropped slightly, from 26 incidents in 2000 to 24 incidents in 2001.
In contrast, crimes against properties — including burglary, theft and criminal trespassing — have risen more than 15 percent from 2000 to 2001. There were 875 incidents of crimes against property in 2001.
One of the largest crime increases was in liquor law violations resulting in arrests or citations. The numbers increased from 44 incidents in 2000 to 52 in 2001. Since 1999 the change has been even more dramatic, more than tripling the 15 incidents of 1999.
Parashis said he sees no immediate correlation between liquor violations and the increased serving hours of some Evanston bars.
People are just being more lax with alcohol, Parashis said. Students illegally take drinks with them from party to party, he said.
Another noticeable crime increase is in the number of burglaries. Forced burglaries quadrupled from six in 2000 to 24 in 2001. Non-forced burglaries are up as well, from 17 in 2000 to 23 in 2001.
“People aren’t taking enough precautions with their stuff,” Parashis said.
Depending on the type of crimes, numbers can go up at specific times of the year, he said.
Bike thefts tend to increase during Fall and Spring quarters, when students are on campus and actively using their bikes, Parashis said. The thefts usually decrease in the summer and during Winter Quarter when most students are away from campus or storing their bikes, he said.
Northwestern officials have made efforts to deal with safety concerns. NU administrators have worked with student officials to increase street lighting in key areas. Lighting near Annie May Swift and Fisk halls recently have been improved.
Student groups also have been concerned with improving the campus shuttle and Escort Service in order to safeguard against student assaults.
Last week a student was robbed at gunpoint, when three men approached him on the 800 block of Hamlin Street and demanded his wallet.
Simple assaults rose from one in 2000 to four in 2001.
The findings found in Thursday’s report are published in accordance with the “Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.”
A complete copy of the annual report, “Campus Safety: A Shared Responsibility,” can be found at UP offices, 1819 Hinman Ave.
