Northwestern students experienced fewer personal crimes last year than students at similar schools, according to crime statistics recently released from NU and some of its peer institutions.
Most types of crime on or near NU’s Evanston campus dropped slightly between 2003 and 2004, according to statistics released last week by University Police. The department patrols the area bounded by Lake Michigan, Church Street, Greenbay Road and the northern city limits.
“Overall, we’re seeing crime is down a little bit and crimes against persons are down significantly,” said Assistant Chief Daniel McAleer of UP.
On-campus crimes against persons, which include murder, sexual assault, robbery, battery and assault, fell by nearly half last year, dropping from 52 to 29. Much of this drop was fueled by a more than 50 percent decrease in the number of simple batteries, which fell to 15 in 2004.
On-campus burglaries also fell by about half, with 28 burglaries reported in 2004. But the number of burglaries in on-campus residential housing held steady last year, at about 15.
These numbers are lower than those at similarly sized universities, such as Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and Duke University in Durham, N.C. Duke reported 35 burglaries last year, a handful more than NU. But Stanford reported slightly more than 100.
Duke also has higher numbers for sexual assault and aggravated assault, with six reported sexual assaults and 15 aggravated assaults compared to one of each at NU.
The same is true of Stanford, where police reported five sexual assaults and three aggravated assaults.
Communication freshman Aisha Harris said in her few weeks at NU, she hasn’t had many safety concerns.
“I don’t feel unsafe here,” she said. “But there are a few areas that could be more well-lit.”
But not all types of crime were down last year at NU.
Both burglaries to motor vehicles and on-campus theft jumped last year. Motor vehicle incidents more than doubled, rising to 28 in 2004 from 13 in 2003. Thefts on campus rose to 274, up from 255. Robberies around campus also went up, increasing to 21 from 13 the year before.
“Most of the burglaries occurred in the evening or late night hours,” McAleer said. “Some were in parking lots on campus on the lower level structures or up by the stadium.”
UP has tried to increase patrols of parking lot areas to deter potential burglars, McAleer said.
“The addition of new staff – six officers and a seventh this week – will help establish more visibility,” he said.
Weinberg junior Monica Guevara said she has noticed this change but isn’t sure what to think about it.
“I’ve noticed an increased police presence this year,” she said. “It makes me more suspicious if they are out to seek something or if there really is a rise in crime and parties.”
Burglaries of motor vehicles also increased at Stanford, rising to 103 in 2004 from 65 in 2003. Numbers were not available for Duke.
Property crimes, such as theft, are a problem for the North Carolina school, Duke Senior Public Relations Specialist Leanora Minai said.
“We see many students who leave backpacks or iPods in a public place and they grow legs and walk off,” Minai said.
Northwestern’s UP fought theft increases with a stronger police presence. And both NU and Duke are focusing on student prevention. Duke officers give talks and skits to promote a more proactive prevention program, Minai said.
Overall, NU has a very safe campus, Vice-President of University Relations Alan Cubbage said.
“You still need to be aware, though, and use your head,” Cubbage said.
Cubbage attributed the statistics to the strong relationship between UP and the Evanston Police Department and the “significant police presence” on campus.
But McAleer said there’s more to the issue than increased policing.
“We can’t always take credit for an increase in crime or a decrease,” McAleer said. “We depend on the university as much as it depends on us.”
Reach Laura Olson at [email protected].
