Although 2011 crime statistics show no dramatic increase, the MU Police Department is continually enforcing lesser incidents that can lead to more dangerous situations.
MUPD’s 2011 Campus Crime and Fire Safety Report showed little fluctuation in comparison to years prior.
“There was no dramatic increase in anything,” MU Police Department spokesman Brian Weimer said. “If you look over various years, there’s going to be some slight ups and slight downs, but when you’re talking about numbers that small it’s inevitable.”
According to the 2011 crime statistics, there was no significant increase in crime Weimer said.
“The main thing you’re going to see is going to be larceny or theft,” Weimer said. “It’s critical to lower our crime numbers to make sure you don’t leave stuff laying around and to make sure you lock your residence hall room when you’re not in it. It only takes a second for someone to come in and take something.”
Larceny, theft and physical acts are common crimes committed on college campuses. Although the numbers in the annual report do not indicate a rise in forcible sex offenses and assault, a lot of the time these issues go unreported.
“Nationally, it is estimated that only 12-16 percent of all acts of sexual assault and/or rape are ever reported,” Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center coordinator Danica Wolf said. “We have no reason to believe that MU is any different.”
It is estimated that at least 75 to 80 percent of all sexual assaults and rapes nationwide are committed with one or both parties under the influence of alcohol, Wolf said. On college campuses nationwide, however, that number is believed to be closer to 90 percent or more, she said. In light of these statistics, Weimer said MUPD is doing all it can to prevent these acts of violence.
“It’s critical that law enforcement agencies are enforcing underage drinking laws and things like that,” Weimer said. “People make the comments that we have other things we need to be worrying about. Well, a contributing cause to serious crimes like rape or assault are due to alcohol and drugs.”
According to the report, MUPD arrested 393 people total for liquor law violations in 2009. In 2011, that number increased to 412.
“We’re trying to prevent more serious crimes from ever even occurring,” Weimer said.
The main purpose of the annual Campus Crime and Fire Safety Report is to inform members of the community.
“We want to make sure, while this is a very safe campus, that the community knows that crimes do occur and specifically what those crimes are so that they can take preventative measures to make themselves safe because clearly our officers cannot be absolutely everywhere at all times, so we have to work with our community,” Weimer said.
There are several ways MU students can avoid potentially dangerous situations, Weimer said.
“Always make sure you have a sober person there and that person is going to watch over you to make sure you’re not doing something that you wouldn’t normally do,” Weimer said.
Along with having a sober friend, Wolf said she encourages students to act as a [“Green Dot”](http://mizzoulife.missouri.edu/prevention-the-green-dot-strategy/) when needed.
“MU students are always encouraged to look out for their friends, check in on potentially dangerous situations, call the police or get help in some way if they think violence is occurring and do other types of Green Dots when they know something is ‘just not right,’” Wolf said.
