Crimes reported in calendar year 2007 on property owned or controlled by UC Davis increased in five of nine key categories and decreased in two, according to statistics prepared in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

The five categories where reported crimes increased were forcible and non-forcible sex offenses, robbery, burglary and arson. The categories where crime reports were reduced were aggravated assaults and motor vehicle theft. No reports of non-negligent manslaughter or negligent manslaughter were recorded.

The number of total reported sex offenses (forcible and non-forcible) increased from 68 in 2006 to 72 last year. These numbers reflect reports that were taken on campus, by police agencies that have jurisdiction adjacent to the campus, all off-campus properties and the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

Campus Violence Prevention Program Director Jennifer Beeman said increased awareness of available services does lead to an increase in reporting.

"This increase in reported sex offenses does not necessarily mean that there has been an increase in sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking. Instead these higher numbers may reflect that the system is working and that victims feel confident enough to come forward and seek assistance," Beeman said.

The mission of the 29-year old Campus Violence Prevention Program at UC Davis is making victims feel as comfortable as possible when making such reports.

Approximately three-quarters of the reported sex offenses in 2007 were reported confidentially to the Campus Violence Prevention Program. Beeman says that the program has been fortunate to utilize funding from both campus and the federal Office on Violence Against Women to provide 24-hour victim assistance as well as consultation to those assisting victims.

UC Davis has developed a comprehensive system of innovative risk-reduction, prevention and education programs, protocols and policies, along with confidential reporting options to help students report any sex offenses. Beeman says that the most recent data predicted just fewer than 3 percent of college women become victims of rape (completed or attempted) in a given nine-month academic year.

"At first glance, the risk seems low, however, when calculated for a one-year period, the percentage translates into the disturbing figure of 35 such crimes for every 1,000 female students," said Beeman. "Sexual assault awareness means increasing public awareness of this 'silent crime.' It means asking our community to become knowledgeable about bystander interventions that may lead to eliminating sexual violence, and when it does occur to respond to survivors in a way that enables them to heal and regain control of their lives."

The number of drug arrests increased from 81 in 2006 to 119 in 2007; while liquor disciplinary actions decreased from 312 in 2006 to 269 in 2007.

The majority of the increased number of drug arrests on campus (18 in 2006 to 25 in 2007), were the result of increased patrol activity on or adjacent to the Davis campus by UC Davis police officers, noted UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza.

Most of the drug arrests on campus were for marijuana. Drug arrests at the medical center and properties adjacent to it in Sacramento went from 58 in 2006 to 84 last year.

Last year, UC Davis reported a decrease in aggravated assaults (17 in 2006 and 9 in 2007), which the campus police department attributes to more officers on patrol and, educating students about the Aggie Escort program. The goal of the service is to provide those on campus with an alternative to walking alone or within a small group. Those using the service are provided a ride home in a marked van or escorted on foot.

"We are happy to see the decrease and will continue to work to get it even lower in the future," said Spicuzza.

The decrease in motor vehicle thefts (38 in 2006 and 27 in 2007) is also related to beefing-up patrols in the many parking lots both on the main campus in Davis and at the medical center in Sacramento, according to Spicuzza. She said being vigilant in the parking lots most likely curtailed this crime.

UC Davis did report a rash of thefts, which are included in the burglary statistic (99 in 2006 and 122 in 2007). These types of crimes are usually "crimes of convenience," noted Spicuzza. "Educating the campus community about the importance of securing valuables, not walking alone late at night and reporting illegal behavior will help to reduce those numbers."

One hate crime was recorded in 2007. A male walking down a bike path was allegedly approach by four suspects who yelled a racial slur, and was punched. The crime was listed as a battery.

The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report statements of security policy and statistics for the specified crimes reported for defined locations on and adjacent to their campuses, their off-campus properties, and the properties of registered student organizations. Universities and colleges report the information to the U.S. Department of Education and must also make the information and annual statistics available to current and prospective students and employees each fall.

Clery Act data for calendar year 2007 is available at the UC Davis Police Department's Web site: http://police.ucdavis.edu/clery/currentCleryStatistics.htm.