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Recent Statistics Reveal Campus Crime DecreaseClndir cn«n«fiKnUNTVERSITY SECUiUTY patrols the campus, prcventtag crtme aod provid' ing escort service.By TERI GROSSCrime is increasing everywhere, that is, everywhere it seems, except on the University campus, where there has been a yearly decrease in the crime rate since the early sev«ittes.Statistically, Td say that this is the safest place In the world. Director of Univo'sity Security Donald Shultis said, adding that oime on the campus decreased approximately IS percent last year, and would have decreased another 15 percent this year had there not been a rapid increase in the number of burglaries and arson incidents in the month of April.He noted that this increase accounts for the leveling off of the University’s crime rate to last year’s levels. However, he added that overall, crime has decreased 36 percent at the University since 1973.Serious inddents c(mtinue to decrease in frequency. Rapes dropped from three last year to none reported this year, and robberies decreased from 11 last year to five this year.Shultis said the security system was extensively revamped In 1970 during a University crime wave,” and that the crime decrease is a result of a very large number of prudent things initiated then.Intrabuiiding detection equipment was installed, along with better locks and improved lighting. Security officers are also required to complete a tratoing session at a state police academy before becoming commiaaloned officers. This makes it a more professional force, 9iultis added.The campus police also offer specif services for University women. A security specialist is available to assist women who are victims of crime, and an escort service is available for those who do not want to walk alone ai night.This service, which is offered to any member of the University community, can be obtained by calling the security dispatcher. Last year, 3443 requests fM* escorts were reported, and 4649 were repoHed this year.An Important Innovation Initiated in October, University Security Chief Investigator Harold McGrath reported, Is the utilizatiMi of student security in the University bookstore. This program takes work-atudy students and trains them to observe for shoplifters. A recent report shows that over 84 students and employees have been apprehended for shoplifting and retail theh since the program began.However, Shultis said, the most important element in the campus police program ts the cooperative nature of the University students who do not regard the officers as enemies.A great deal of controversy arose this year over the decline of the campus police force from 60 members four years ago to its present 38.
Newspaper Details
Philadelphia Daily Pennsylvanian
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Thu, Jul 01, 1976
Page 34
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 31 Jul 2018
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