FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 8, 1996
Terry Lightfoot (510) 987-9194
Terry.Lightfoot@ucop.edu

VIOLENT CRIME DROPS TO 12-YEAR LOW ON UC CAMPUSES

Violent crime on University of California campuses dipped to a 12-year low in 1995 with reported incidents down 29 percent, according to an annual report by the UC Police Department.

The total number of violent crimes -- homicides, rapes, robbery and aggravated assaults -- dropped from 174 incidents in 1994 to 123 in 1995. Property crime decreased 6 percent, from 8,579 reported incidents in 1994 to 8,093 in 1995.

The nine campuses reported decreases in all violent crimes, except rape and attempted rape. Reported rapes increased from nine in 1994 to 13 in 1995. There were three attempted rapes in 1995 compared to two in 1994.

Most categories of property crimes -- burglary, theft, auto theft and arson -- decreased as well. The exception was bicycle thefts, which increased 2 percent.

Of 3,035 arrests made in connection with campus crimes, only 12 percent were individuals affiliated with a UC campus.

The rate of violent crime on UC campuses last year was 43 incidents per 100,000 people down from 48 incidents per 100,000 people in 1994. The rate throughout the state was 992 per 100,000 people in 1994. The rate of violent crime for the state was not available for 1995.

UC Santa Barbara Police Chief John L. MacPherson, coordinator of university-wide police services, said the decrease in crime is a result of efforts by all campus departments to increase awareness and work with their communities.

"Fortunately, we have been able to use our existing resources in a proactive and preventive manner," MacPherson said. "Also, through our interaction and partnership with the campus communities, we've been able to maintain an environment in which the university can carry out its academic mission."

Campus crime is counted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting program, the same one used by law enforcement agencies across the nation.

The total number of violent crimes on the campuses in each category were: rape or attempted rape, 16; robbery, 45; aggravated assault, 62.

Property crimes in each category were: burglary, 1,117; theft, 6,546, auto theft, 406; and arson, 24.

Other offenses such as vandalism and public drunkenness are not counted by the FBI. The university found that these items were down 11 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

The report noted that a number of factors can influence campus crime counts, including population diversity and density, the size of the locale, economic conditions and climate.

# # #

Note: Copies of the full Annual Report and Crime Statistics for 1995 are available by calling Sgt. Michael Foster, at UC Santa Barbara (805) 893-2845. Questions related to a specific campus should be directed to the campus public information office.