The recently released 2007 crime report from university police shows some changes in the crime trends at UCLA ““ showing an increase in assault and a 1,075 percent increase in disorderly conduct.
The report shows an overall decrease in crime in the Westwood area although some aspects of crime such as assault, disorderly conduct and fraud show large increases in 2007.
“Most properties are fairly safe. … (Crime) numbers stay very constant. If there is a problem in an area, we try to address it,” said Nancy Greenstein, director of police community services for UCPD.
Most assault crimes are simple assaults where people that already know each other involve themselves in minor violence and consequently one of them calls the police, Greenstein said.
A large increase in disorderly conduct and a puzzling decrease in public drunkenness may have been due to a change in the names of the categories these crimes were assigned to in the statewide database.
Because of this change in classification, more crimes may have been assigned to a certain category than in previous years, Greenstein added.
The number of fraud instances increased for the same reason and because more people are reporting identity theft, Greenstein said.
According to the report, the total number of both property and violent crime decreased to 1,070 offenses from 1,165 offenses in 2006.
“(Campus crime) is something to think about, but not something to worry about. … The crimes I hear about are mostly off campus, but even those are seldom. The neighborhood we are surrounded by is a pretty nice one,” said Daniel Mabasa, second-year environmental science student.
Crimes of opportunity are the most common crimes in UCLA. These are instances of crime that are spurred by a lucrative or easy situation for crime more so than the criminal’s original intent.
“People set up the opportunity. … (For example they) keep laptops unattended,” Greenstein said.
Keeping a careful eye on one’s belongings may be the best remedy for this.
“I’ve never had anything stolen, but my friends have. I feel like (the thefts) were preventable. They put too much trust in people, like leaving your dorm room open,” Mabasa added.
Though theft is the most prevalent crime, violent crimes were also addressed by the UCPD. Instances of homicide, rape, robbery and assault are a serious though infrequent aspect of crime at UCLA. “We are most concerned about crimes against persons,” Greenstein said.
Students said they also worry about security in UCLA.
“On campus I typically feel safe,” said Allison DePasquale, third-year economics/international area studies student.
But, when she moved into off-campus housing in Westwood last year, her sentiments changed somewhat.
Unlike Bruin Walk, where students can always find people at any time, day or night, they should be cautious when walking the dimly lit streets of Westwood at night.
“I’m not as apt to study late in the library. … I wouldn’t walk around (Westwood) late by myself. … I get nervous walking back to my apartment at night,” DePasquale added.
To combat various types of crimes, the UCPD will be focusing on crime-prevention information in 2008.
“We will remind people to be cognizant of their property, use escort services, keep their doors and windows locked. (We will) encourage people not to walk alone in the dark and have a sober friend with them. There are robberies because of cell phones or iPod use. (We will) encourage people to be aware of their surroundings. … Above all they can always call us,” Greenstein said.