UW News

May 11, 2006

Campus crime sees slight increase in 2005

UW News

The University Police Department’s Annual Report is a sort of statistical potpourri — various categories of crime show small increases and declines each year, set against a backdrop of ever-improving campus protection policies making increasing use of technology.


The department recently released its document for 2005, which tallies crimes reported to University Police for that calendar year. A more complete report, which will show criminal activity reported to all departments as well as police, will be released later in the year.


The 2005 totals show that Part 1 crimes, the more serious offenses against persons or property, increased 7 percent, from 705 reports in 2004 to 752 in 2005. That total, however, still reflects a longer-term decrease, from 1,002 Part 1 crimes reported in 2002 and 899 in 2003.


Reports of larceny also increased, by 3 percent, from 328 in 2004 to 343 in 2005, and vehicle thefts — always a concern on any campus — rose 29 percent from 35 to 45. Bicycle thefts dropped from 664 in 2003 to 414 in 2004, and then further to 400 in 2005.


But of the Part 1 crimes, among the most notable changes from 2004 to 2005 is the increase in reports of forcible rape. No such reports were in the 2004 report, but the 2005 numbers included six allegations of rape during that year. One of those rapes was an attempted rape, said UW Police Chief Vicky Stormo, and another was a rape still being investigated that took place in 1999.


“We know rape is one of the most under-reported crimes,” said Stormo. “It is rare on campus to have a sexual assault where the victim does not know the attacker. Acquaintence rape frequently involves alchohol or drugs. The difficulty is proving if consent was mutual or not, and there are usually no independent witnesses.”


In all, arrests were down by one-third, from 364 in 2004 to 243 in 2005, though the arrest of juveniles rose from four to 14. Warrant arrests of both juveniles and adults rose 19 percent, from 52 to 62.


Statistics from the traffic and parking division showed decreases from 2004 to 2005. Traffic citations issued dropped about 39 percent and traffic stops dropped 26 percent. Citations given by campus parking enforcement officers decreased by 12.6 percent, while citations by UW Police officers dropped fully 60 percent, from 1,143 in 2004 to 450 in 2005.


The annual report also noted ongoing work done by the UW Police to improve and expand department programs and procedures. These include:


  • The UW Police Department earned its first national accreditation on July 30, 2005 from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
  • UW Police are working with the UW Office of Emergency Management, the Seattle Fire Department and other agencies to improve area emergency readiness and response.
  • The department has won federal grant money for protective gear for officers and for a bomb-sniffing dog.
  • The UW Police Department did some remodeling of its lockers and exercise room, adding furniture and cabinets for a better look.
  • With the help of Computing & Communications, simpler campus emergency dialing was made a reality. Now, the number for 911 is 911, not 9, followed by 911, anymore.
  • Police crime prevention programs continue, including the registering of electronic equipment and bicycles, and the Building Watch Program, which informs the campus community of instances of crime in their part of campus.


Stormo said that historically, property crimes are the department’s biggest challenge, “since we have such an open environment.” Among these are bicycle and vehicle thefts and car prowls and, more than ever, thefts of laptop computers, since they are so mobile and popular.


“We have to emphasize the importance to all of the campus community to practice good crime prevention methods — locking your cars, not leaving anything of value in plain sight, locking your offices and dorm rooms. It takes all our efforts to curb future crimes on campus.”


Stormo encouraged all on campus to alert the UW Police if they see any suspicious behavior.