Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Aug. 19, 1991, edition 1 / Page 18
Part of Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
4BThe Daily Tar HeelMonday, August 1 9, 1 991 3- University theft problem steals safety from campus and students By Ashley Fogle Staff Writer UNC campus: seething center of crime, or tranquil safe haven? You de cide. The University is basically a safe place with acrime rate much like that of any college campus, said University Police Director Arnold Trujillo. The theft of personal property is the most commonly re portedcampus crime, Trujillo said. "If there was no theft, that would take care of most of what we do." Last year there were 200 burglaries, one robbery and 302 cases of larceny reported on campus, according to po lice records. Of these cases, 17 were solved. There are several things students can do to prevent theft, Trujillo said. "Basically, follow what you were taught at home," he said. "Don't leave You Don't Have to SEARCH the whole world over for quality, unique clothing and equipment when Sid's is in your backyard! Surplus Sid's Military Surplus 302-A E. Main St. Carrboro things lying around. Keep your room and your car locked. Take your belong ings with you don't leave them lying on tables or benches or on top of your car. Just be more careful." Students also can take steps to ensure their personal safety on campus, Truj il lo said. He advised students not to walk alone after dark and to develop a buddy system. Students also should tell some one where they are going so police can be alerted if they do not return. The University police department is willing to escort students, he said. Student organizations work with campus police to prevent crime, Trujillo said. A student patrol, made up of II students, works on building security and sometimes provides escorts. SAFE Escort Students Averting Frightening Encounters is another student organization dedicated to en hancing student safety after dark. The group offers free escorts to anyone on campus from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. The service operates during the fall and spring semesters, and can be contacted by calling 962 SAFE. More than 25 emergency call boxes with a direct line to campus police are located at various locations for students' safety, Trujillo said. When the phone is picked up, dispatchers are able to iden tify the box's location and send an offi cer, he said. Police are usually able to respond in two to three minutes. Police are in the process of installing call boxes in parking decks as well, he said. In addition to theft, University pol ice handled one murder, 22 assaults and 1 7 cases of motor vehicle theft last year. Kathleen Benzaquin, assistant dean of students, said rape was as much a problem on the UNC campus as it is at other universities. Students need to learn about the problem, she said. Programs that address date rape are given during student orientation. Benzaquin said students must take some precautions to prevent rape. "In terms of date rape or relation ships, there needs to be communica tion," she said. "Know your limits. Be aware of alcohol and its effects or the effects of drugs. This is the responsibil ity of men, too, not just women." Victims of rape or sexual assault can bring charges to the Honor Court as well as in criminal court, she said. Stu dents wishing to bring charges against another student should contact the stu dent attorney general or Assistant Dean of Students Jeff Cannon. An Honor Court rape trial, unlike criminal proceedings, are closed to the public, Benzaquin said. Victims also are allowed a support person a coun selor, roommate or parent to give moral support throughout the trial. These precautions are taken toencourage more students to come forward, she said. "Rape on campus is an underreported crime," she said. There was one rape reported to Uni- UNC Police Crime Statistics 1988 1989 1990 Offense Committed Cleared Committed Cleared Committed Cleared Murder 0 0 0 0 1 1 Rape 2 1 10 0 0 Robbery 5 0 2 1 1 0 Assaults 20 10 25 18 22 11 Burglary 52 1 126 4 200 2 Larceny 459 10 490 11 302 4 MVtheft 15 0 13 2 17 2 Arson 0 0 7 0 0 0 Totals . 553 22 664 36 743 20 versity Police in 1989 and none in 1990. Students often do not come forward because of fear of the consequences or not being believed, Benzaquin said. Other reasons for failing to report in clude horror stories about rape trials, the lack of confidentiality and self-blame. The University has developed a re sponse plan to help victims, the first of ' its kind on a university campus, Benzaquin said. The plan outlines the-' steps to be taken, from identification of ' the victim to a follow-up after the case is closed. The plan also coordinates ' University services to help victims. Bicyclists asked to register bikes to protect against local theft By Ashley Fogle Staff Writer University officialshaveencouraged students and faculty who park their bi cycles on campus to register them with the Department of Transportation and Parking Services. Registration is not mandatory, but officials hope that all students will reg ister their bicycles. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to apply for a permit as soon as they get to campus. Mary Fox, the department's external Variety is The Spice of Life Broiled Steamed Grilled . Cajun Continental Calabash SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Chapel HillDurham- HWY 54 at M0 493-8096 967-8227 Raleigh Atlantic Ave, at Spring Forest Rd. 790-1200 Lunch 11:30-2:00 Sun.-Fri. Dinner 5:00-9:00 Sun.-Thurs. 5:00-10:00 Fri.-Sat. N o T operations assistant director, said the goal of the reg istration plan was to deter bicycle theft by registering every bi cycle on campus. Registration also will speed up the identification of lost or stolen bicycles and assist in planning the improvement of bicycle parking fa cilities, she said. The value of bicycles reported lost or stolen last year totaled about $29,000. The registration process is simple and free, she said. "Students can apply for permits when they pre-register for a parking permit or a bus pass." Those registering for permits would need to provide the department with the In u u yy tmrnm raw fWDre viiAjyiifiisu in Willis Ladies' Apparel Menswear Plus Sizes Lingerie Hosiery Socks Handbags Accessories iANDRECBVt v y . i r 'Fmlsir'J ''ft V'-' r PURCHASE OR MOM a 1 1P' i 40' u 'i3 b bicycle's serial number, model and ' manufacturer. The permit will be a re-' flective sticker affixed to the rear frame ' bar that supports the seat. If the sticker " were removed, the bicycle could be identified by the serial number, she said. University police spokesman Lt. Marcus Perry said the serial numbers of ' the registered bicycles would be avail- ' able to his department to assist in theft. ' investigations. Fox said she thought 100 percent registration was possible because the ' plan would not cost registrants any-'' thing. She expects 60 to 70 percent'' registration by the fall, she said. durham 26M1386 unlvanlty mat chapel hill 942-7306 raleigh 783-8360 Rely on me for affordable protection against high medical costs. Ask About Health Insurance The State Farm Way 0mm CALL ME. Allan Gray 431 W. Franklin St The Courtyard 919-968-0470 Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there. TATI FARM INSURANCI 9 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Home Office: Bloominglon. Illinois Leave it to the experts. Let the specialists at Fitch help you build a loft for your dorm room or apartment. We offer three basic packages and will alter these to fit your specifications. We build to suit your needs! Double your space with one of our one-, two-, or three-bed loft kits. Come in soon and let the experts handle the job' mm 111 II II 309 North Greensboro St., CarrboroChapel Hill Open daily 8-5, Sat. 'til noon 942-3153
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 19, 1991, edition 1
18
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75