Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2012
Source: Acorn, The (NY Edu)
Copyright: 2012 Drew Acorn
Contact:  http://www.drewacorn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5393
Author: Portia Dezen

MARIJUANA BUSTS GROW, CAMPUS DEEMED 'SAFE'

Every year, Public Safety documents crime offenses that take place on
campus. At Drew, there the crimes that merit the most attention are
drug busts and larceny. However, the increase of both of these two
combined, is enough to raise some eyebrows.

Director of Public Safety Robert Lucid explained that crime is
documented at colleges and universities nationwide through an online
system called "Clery Reporting."

"The bottom line of the Clery Reports is to make the public aware of
the likelihood that something bad could happen on a given college
campus," he said. "This federal legislation requires all colleges and
universities to disclose reports on 'index crimes.' Index crimes is a
term that is used to describe all major crimes such as assault,
burglary, arson, murder, vandalism, liquor and drug law violations,
sex offenses and the like."

As a whole, crime on Drew's campus had mostly trended down or stayed
about the same. In 2010, there were three cases of assault, and in
2011 there were nine. This year, that number has decreased to five. In
2010, there were two cases of burglary, an astounding 39 in 2011 and
only two in 2012. Disorderly conduct has continued to decrease from 55
cases in 2010 to 33 in 2011. Most recently, there have been 30 cases
of this kind of offense.

Likewise, vandalism has had ups and downs, from 38 cases in 2010 to 42
in 2011. There are currently 24 that have been documented for 2012.
Larceny theft cases are decreasing with 88 in 2010, 18 in 2011 and up
to 46 in 2012.

The only index crime which has seen a dramatic increase is drug law
violations-42 cases in 2010, 60 in 2011 and 86 in 2012. The statistic
of crimes which have roughly stayed the same are arson, domestic
disputes, DWI, missing persons, sex offenses, threats, trespassing and
weapons offenses, which all remain relatively low. Liquor law
violations have also remained fairly stable, even decreasing from last
year-33 cases in 2010, 51 cases in 2011 and 43 cases in 2012.

There have been no murders, robberies or hate crimes in the past three
years. Addressing the increase in drug law violations, Lucid said,
"Generally speaking, these involve persons in possession of very small
amounts of marijuana."

To help continually reduce crime, the Public Safety has installed more
cameras around campus. "This way," Lucid explained, "when we question
individuals, we have video evidence that they violated a law." The
department has also revised its methods of securing the campus during
vacations or evacuations.

Lucid said, "All residence halls are locked, and a student can only
enter their dorm building if they call Public Safety in advance to
appeal why they need to access their room. If it is for a legitimate
reason, such as forgetting a medication or laptop required for
schoolwork, an officer will escort the student in and out of their
room.

Neither we nor the students want anyone left unattended within empty
residence halls." Lucid finished by saying, "As a whole, Drew
University is a very safe campus. However, we want people to be aware
that crimes do occur. We urge students to accept a certain amount of
personal responsibility for their actions. Just remember to use your
head, and ask yourself what you can do as an individual.
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MAP posted-by: Matt