Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Progress made on campus safety

The university is a relatively safe and caring community; however, with a campus population that approaches 50,000 members, it is important to exercise good judgment and take appropriate precautions to minimize your risks. We are concerned about crime on campus, as we know you are, and given some recent criminal activity on and near the campus, we would like to offer you some helpful information.

Crime on Campus

Crime does not know the boundaries of an educational institution. The University of Arizona can and does experience the same types of crime as the city of Tucson, fortunately not in the same proportions. The campus crime rate is much lower than in the city of Tucson. The most frequent crimes on the UA campus continue to be theft and burglary. These crimes of opportunity are preventable. The most popular items stolen are bicycles, unattended backpacks and books. The following are some crime statistics from last year:

Alcohol violations were down in 1998, including DUI's. You must be 21 in the state of Arizona to drink.

Drug violations were also down last year. As with underage drinking, illegal drug use will result in arrest.

There were 13 weapons violations in 1998, a decrease from 1997. The majority of weapons violations involve people not affiliated with the university.

Assaults: Forty-seven of these were reported last year (a slight increase from 1997). Most of these assaults are characterized by heavy alcohol use resulting in fights.

Prevention

In public areas, such as the library, the student union, the mall, the student Recreation Center, or classrooms, do not leave your personal items unattended, even for "just a minute."

Under no circumstances should you prop open any exterior door. Although it may seem harmless and convenient, you are endangering both yourself and everyone else. Lock your door when you are alone, asleep, or out of the room. Most thefts and burglaries occur when student's rooms are unlocked.

Look out for each other. Walk or give a friend a ride home after dark, use the buddy system, and speak up when you are not comfortable with a situation that involves a friend.

When going out, tell your roommate, friend, or a staff member where you are going, with whom, your route, and when you expect to return. If you choose to stay out, call that person and let him/her know.

If you feel threatened, or suspect that you are being followed, walk toward lighted areas where there are people. Look over your shoulder frequently, this lets the follower know that you are aware of his presence and your surroundings.

You are most vulnerable in poorly lit areas, alone, when it is late in the evening or early morning, and when there are few people on campus. If approached by an individual that demands money, purses, backpacks or wallets, comply with the individual's demands.

Resources

Blue light phones: located in 16 locations on campus, these phones provide direct access to UAPD. Use these telephones to contact the police department for any reason. If in an emergency you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, just knock the receiver off the cradle, a police officer will respond to that location.

Escort Service: ASUA provides a safe ride program offered during the evening hours from dusk until 12:55 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. To take advantage of the ASUA Escort Service, call 621-SAFE.

UAPD: to report an emergency, always call 911. To schedule a crime prevention program contact the Crime Prevention office at 621-1325. For other information you can call UAPD at 621-UAPD (8273).

The Tucson Police Department non-emergency phone number is 791-4444; Community Service Officers are assigned to answer the Police Non-Emergency Telephone Line. They handle crimes not in progress, non-critical police response incidents, and provide information. The hours for this line are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Victim Witness Program: If you have ever been a victim of a crime or a witness to one, you know that the experience can be devastating. The Victim Witness program, administered by the Pima County Attorney's Office, is there to assist you through the criminal justice system. Call 740-5525 for more information.

The Oasis Center, the Center for Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, is located in Old Main, room 234, 626-2051. All services are confidential, free of charge and are available 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.