Monthly crime up 9.6 percent from last October

Overall crime for the month of October rose approximately 9.6 percent from last October, according to statistics provided by the Division of Public Safety.

The increase in crime last month is due to an overall rise in crimes against property, like burglary, bike theft and theft from auto. Ninety-two incidents of crimes against property were reported to DPS last month, compared to 81 in October 2009.

Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush attributed part of the increase in property crimes to a rise in individuals unaffiliated with Penn who do not use resources offered to ensure safety.

“A lot of people outside of Penn pass through campus and may leave property like purses unattended,” Rush said. “This creates an opportunity for something to happen.”

While there was an increase in overall property crimes, DPS reported a 45-percent decrease in bicycle theft compared to last October. Rush credits DPS’s bike theft awareness campaign as the reason for the decline. “Usually, bike thefts occur when people secure them with cable locks,” she said. “The campaign definitely got the word out there about how best to prevent a crime of opportunity.”

In addition to the safety awareness campaign at the beginning of the year, Rush explained that DPS’s partnership with local landlords to discourage students from securing bicycles to wooden railings is another reason for the decline. Suspects “can saw through the railing and take the bike without bothering with the lock,” Rush said.

Fewer robberies and burglaries were reported in October 2010 compared to last October. Rush attributed this to “a community [that] over the years has been more agreeable to prosecuting perpetrators” so that the same individuals are not given an opportunity to commit a crime again.

The month of October ended with two sexual offenses. On Oct. 25, DPS reported a case of public indecency in Houston Hall in which a man unaffiliated with the University exposed himself to a male student in the men’s bathroom. An indecent assault was later reported on Oct. 30, in which a woman unaffiliated with the University reported that a man approached her, grabbed her breasts and ran away.

Rush emphasized that although DPS partners with several other law enforcement agencies, “little can be done for those unaffiliated with Penn if they are not using resources, like the walking escorts.” Rush said that safety awareness continues to be a key issue in DPS’ objectives.

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