U. sees summer on-campus crime decrease from same period last year

Although local criminals did not take a vacation this summer -- with University Police logging 326 on-campus crimes -- they were slightly less active than last summer, when 334 crimes were reported to campus police. Police also responded to more than 200 off-campus incidents, including one homicide and two rapes. No off-campus rapes or homicides were reported last summer. None of the incidents involved University students or faculty. From May 10 through August 25, overall on-campus crime decreased by 2 1/2 percent compared to the same period last year, according to University Police statistics. While on-campus burglaries decreased by almost 25 percent, from 33 incidents in the summer of 1996 to 25 this year, on-campus thefts rose by slightly less than 3 percent, from 268 last year to 276 this summer. But both on-campus burglaries and thefts decreased this year when compared to the summer of 1995. University Police received no reports of homicides or rapes on campus this summer, as was the case last year as well. The 276 thefts recorded included 16 stolen computers, 19 stolen wallets, 17 stolen backpacks or knapsacks and 98 thefts of bicycles or bike parts, according to a tally of incidents recorded in the University Police crime log. Most of the remaining thefts represent items stolen from cars. Among other June crimes, University Police handled a report of ethnic intimidation at 3401 Walnut Street, a bomb scare at the Penn Tower Hotel, shoplifting at the Book Store, harassment at the footbridge at 38th and Locust streets, a theft at WaWa and credit card thefts at Van Pelt Library. July incidents included burglaries at the Fels Center and the McNeil Building, a theft at the Gap and a robbery involving a gun at 40th and Spruce streets. In August, University Police responded to threats at Grad Tower A and a weapons offense and narcotics charge at 42nd and Locust streets, in addition to numerous other crimes. On Wednesday, University Police could not furnish any more information about off-campus crime statistics or the trend from last summer to this year. Crimes reported to University Police in May after the final day of exams included a missing person from the 3800 block of Spruce Street, the propulsion of an object from High Rise East and a simple assault at the Quadrangle.