The Duke University Police Department released the latest crime statistics in its annual Clery Security Report, which shows that although reports of some serious crimes were down, drinking and drug violations were up in the 2008 calendar year.
In 2008, 51 burglaries were reported—14 fewer than in 2007. The number of reported robberies decreased to two in 2008 from seven in 2007. Reports of forcible sex offenses remained steady at five.
The report, which universities are required to publish each year by Oct. 1 under the federal Clery Act, only reflects crimes committed on campus and immediately adjacent to it. The report does not include incidents that occur off-campus—such as the January 2008 murder of graduate student Abhijit Mahato.
According to the report, 34 of the burglaries reported in 2008 occurred in residential facilities.
“In just one or two cases was there forced entry,” DUPD Chief John Dailey said. “If students would lock their doors—and I understand it’s inconvenient—most of those would be prevented.”
Larcenies are another prevalent and preventable campus crime, Dailey noted. The Clery Report does not have a category for larcenies, but Dailey said there were 490 as of September 2008 and there have been 426 to date in 2009—including motor vehicle break-ins.
There were 111 car break-ins as of September 2008 and to date there have been 125 in 2009, Dailey said.
Other crimes, however, increased in 2008.
Incidents of aggravated assault rose from three to six incidents, but none involved students, Dailey said.
Reports of illegal use of substances also increased. The report includes referrals to campus disciplinary authorities and arrests for liquor law violations, drug law violations and illegal weapons possessions. Referrals primarily come from residential and other staff as well as DUPD.
The Office of Student Conduct saw 19 more referrals for alcohol law violations in 2008. Stephen Bryan, associate dean of students and director of the Office of Student Conduct, said the increase in referrals is not a large statistical difference from 301 and 294 referrals reported in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
He added that the number of referrals varies year to year with the personalities of the residence staff and how strictly they enforce alcohol policies.
In addition to the 320 referrals, violation of alcohol policy resulted in 10 arrests in 2008.
Sue Wasiolek, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, said the increase could reflect greater student responsibility.
“My hope is that what these numbers reflect is also a wider and longer safety net, either with students calling in things or with community members making us aware of their concerns about students drinking too much or using drugs,” she said.
Drug law violation referrals were up from seven to 32, and arrests increased from 17 to 20 from 2007 to 2008.
Like alcohol referrals, increases in drug law violation reporting could be a product of more stringent policy enforcement, said Joe Gonzalez, associate dean for residence life. Residence Life and Housing Services standardized its policy for drug referrals in the 2008-2009 academic year, which could have affected 2008 numbers, he said.
Gonzalez said RLHS enforced its existing drug policy more aggressively last academic year and required residence staff to report suspected drug use to DUPD and document incidents to submit to OSC for investigation.
“That was more standardized last year than previous years—so it was more likely than not that a report would have been filed last year than in previous years,” he said.
The increases in alcohol and drug law violation referrals and arrests will not significantly change the University’s approach to those issues on campus, Wasiolek said.
“We will continue to engage in education approaches related to alcohol and drugs,” she said. “I don’t know that we can ever do enough or that we can ever do too much.”
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.