Property crime reports increase in UCLA area

Property crime reports increase in UCLA area

Statistics indicate general offenses up, violence decreasing

By Allyssa Lee

Daily Bruin Staff

With increases in the number of forcible rapes and aggravated
assaults in 1994, statistics show that crime at UCLA is on the
rise.

The statistics were collected as a part of the FBI Crime Index,
a compilation of crime reports used to measure crime on campuses
nationwide.

Crime in general at UCLA has increased by 8.7 percent from Jan.
1 to Dec. 31, 1994 ­ from 1,509 to 1,640 reports, according to
the index. At the same time, violent crime had decreased by 9.2
percent ­ from 65 to 59 reports since 1993.

"(The statistics) are somewhat of an indicator that crime is
going up in the area, but just because the number of reports go up
doesn’t mean the crimes go up," said Capt. Karl Ross of the UCLA
Police Department. "We are very conservative about the manner that
we take the reports ­ we don’t try to second guess (what is
being reported).

"As far as the campus is concerned, the numbers are running
average," Ross said.

The increase in the number of crimes reported can also be
attributed to the Los Angeles Police Department’s increase in the
number of patrol officers surrounding the UCLA area, officials
said.

The most prevalent university crimes were property crimes,
including burglaries of purses, money and computers, often stolen
when dorm room doors are left open, according to officials. Other
common thefts included unattended backpacks and unlocked motor
vehicles.

Violent crime, while decreasing overall, is marked by increases
in aggravated assaults and forced rapes. Ross cites the highest
crime areas as the areas nearest to Westwood.

"The largest area of crime is (found) the closer you move toward
Westwood because they’re crimes of opportunity," Ross said. "The
perpetrators are looking for people that are more vulnerable, or
who look like they’re not paying attention to what’s going on."

Students at UCLA, however, said they have not noticed a
prevalence of crime on campus since last year, if at all.

"I feel totally safe on campus," said Steve Diamond, a
fourth-year math student. "I don’t think there are extra concerns
for being on campus than anywhere else. The main reason is that
it’s in Westwood, a safe area."

Some students said the rise in crime was unexpected.

"It’s scary to think that it happens on campus ­ I’ve never
had anyone I know be robbed or attacked," said Laurie Malone, a
fourth-year psychology student. "It makes me more cautious in and
around the campus."

Malone said she felt safe walking around on campus at night as
long as other groups were around her. Other students shared
Malone’s sentiments.

"I never really think about (crime on campus)," said Staci
Yamano, a second-year undeclared student. "I guess my biggest fear
would be being attacked, but there are so many people around, I
don’t think it will happen."

Officials said they hoped to combat the crime rise by putting
together teams of officers in high crime areas, as well as
increasing the amounts of surveillance in and around the
university.