Auraria police see less crime

Chief attributes drop to awareness, still advises vigilance

By Jeff Tejcek
jtejcek@mscd.edu

Over 20,000 students walk amongst the buildings and courtyards of the Auraria campus, often riding expensive bikes, carrying iPods, PDA's, and even cash.

The national media has been focused on campus crime statistics, and now as a new semester begins, students must be wary.

Or should they?

Crime on the Auraria campus seems to be stable with no significant increase in offenses.

According to the Auraria Campus report, some crimes such as theft were up, while others such as vandalism of property were down.

Auraria Police Chief Heather Coogan said that Auraria has one of the lowest rates of campus crime for any campus its size in America and that the key to keeping campus crime down is student awareness.

Regardless caution is recommended.

According to Coogan, students can protect themselves in three primary ways.

The first thing is to be wary of what they take to campus.

"Our number one crime is theft," Coogan said. "Don't bring anything that you really don't need."

Second, students must keep an eye on their possessions.

"Don't leave your valuables unattended," Coogan said. "In the library, don't leave your purse, or your telephone, or your laptop sitting on a table. Don't leave things behind when you use the restroom."

Third, students need to be aware of how to keep their vehicles secure.

"Don't bring valuables in your car and don't leave them sitting on the seat in the car. You just invite someone to break into that vehicle," Coogan said.

Auto theft and burglary are among the more common crimes on campus.

"If you have to bring something in your car, put it in your trunk out of sight," Coogan said.

Colleges and Universities around the country are required to publish a copy of the Clery report, showing statistics of crime on campus.

Jeanne Clery was a 19-year-old student at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania who was raped and murdered in her residence hall in 1986.

Clery's parents persuaded Congress to enact a law known as "Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990," which eventually became known as the Jeanne Clery Act.

The Campus Police Department provides services to students and faculty in an attempt to keep them safe.

These services include 24-hour police services and night escorts to your vehicle.

Students should also be aware of the numerous emergency call boxes located in school buildings and parking lots.

In addition, the Auraria Campus Police provide educational programs including robbery prevention, theft and fraud seminars, and a sex offender registry.

Campus police suggest all students immediately report any crime they may see.

The Auraria Campus Police can be reached for non-emergencies at 303-556-3271, or for emergencies at 911.