EDITORIAL: All the crime that's fit to print

Penn's crime log book should include all incidents occurring within University Police jurisdiction. In 1997, at least 37 robberies, 17 aggravated assaults, five rapes and one carjacking -- all occurring within University Police jurisdiction -- were never filed as incidents in Penn's crime log book. Unlike the reporting of crimes considered "on-campus," this is not a legal matter. Penn officials give two reasons for the omissions: They were either handled by the Philadelphia Police Department or the victim was not affiliated with the University. Both reasons are shocking and inadequate. Simply because Philadelphia rather than University police respond to a call shouldn't determine whether or not it ends up in Penn's records. And even if the victims of two rapes on the 4000 block of Spruce Street aren't associated with the University, the many students who live on or traverse that block should be aware of the incidents. Ensuring that all these incidents are recorded by University Police, however, is easier said than done. Examples of corruption, abuse and general disorganization within the city's police department have littered the Philadelphia press over the past several years. And with a newly appointed chief, it may take some time for the department to get its act together. It is up to Penn public safety officials, then, to start putting pressure on the 18th District to release full records of incidents occurring within University Police jurisdiction, which extends from the Schuylkill River to 43rd Street between Baltimore Avenue and Market Street. Assigning a detective to investigate each crime -- whether or not University Police originally responded to it -- will be another good step. University officials have been honest about admitting that they are not tracking crime trends as accurately as possible. Now they must take advantage of their extensive resources to make sure that the Penn community gets a realistic picture of crime on and around campus.