Overall crime for the month of September rose approximately 6 percent from last September, according to statistics provided by the Division of Public Safety.
The increase in crime last month is due to an increase in crimes against property, like burglary, bike theft and theft from auto.
Part of the increase in theft from auto can be attributed to the wave of incidents occurring in Garage 51, located at the intersection of University Avenue and Civic Center Boulevard, according to DPS Spokeswoman Stef Cella.
In response to an increase in thefts from buildings, Cella advised everyone to be watchful of their property and to not leave items unattended or in plain view within cars.
“Unattended theft is a crime of opportunity,” Cella wrote in an e-mail, advising everyone to become educated on ways to protect themselves from theft.
Only one more case of retail theft was reported in September 2010 compared to last September.
While September saw an increase in theft, crimes against people — like robberies and assaults — decreased 33 percent compared to September 2009.
Cella attributed the decrease to the Penn community “target hardening [itself] by utilizing of the services Public Safety and the University provide,” citing the University’s walking escort and driving escort services, as well as “walking together in large groups,” as reasons for the decrease.
DPS will continue to hold annual safety fairs to educate the Penn community on ways to protect itself from property theft as well as crimes directed toward people.
