| Be aware
of crimes on campus
by ERRIN JEWELL
Crimes may happen at anytime, but students may protect themselves by becoming aware of when they most frequently occur. "There are specific times when crimes more crimes are reported," Corp. Angie Howell of the MUPD said, "The majority of crimes take place at the very beginning and the end of the semester. On a weekly bases, most crimes occur Thursday or Friday nights." Although most crimes occur at the beginning of each semester, they are more prevalent during the first few days of the semester than the spring, Howell said. "At the start of the (Fall) semester, we just have more people out and about than during the rest of the year," Howell said. "New and current students return to campus and many of the new ones have not received information about how to decrease their chances of becoming a crime victim. "As new students get settled into campus life we always see a decrease in the frequency of reported crimes. Usually by October everyone has adjusted to being away form home and things have calmed down quite a bit." However, the number of crimes reported on campus increases again at the end of the fall semester, she said. "The rate picks back up right before Christmas," she said. "Everyone needs a little cash and we get more calls for break-ins and thefts." This increase takes place because students become restless before winter break, Howell said. "They are ready to go home and they need money to purchase Christmas presents or pay for the trip," Howell said. "Some students will try to get the money they need any way possible. They steal from other students and look for items that can be quickly resold for cash. "The number of book thefts tends to increase at the end of the fall semester," she said. "CDs, jewelry, cash or credit cards are also stolen more often at this time of the year." Howell said virtually no criminal acts occur while students are home for winter break, but the crime rate obviously increases when students return for the spring semester. However, she said less crimes occur as the second semester begins than when the fall semester begins. The spring semester is not crime-free. Howell said most crimes happen during the second semester, "right before spring break." "A lot of thefts are reported in the dorms a few days before spring break," she said. "This is another time when some students are looking for items to steal and resale so they can have money for spring break." She said very little crime take place after students return home during the summer. "We have fewer students living on campus in the summer, and we have very little crimes are reported." Howell said although less crimes take place during the summer, when students return for fall the cycle begins again. Most crimes are committed when the weekend approaches, Howell said. "We see more acts of crime take place Thursday or Friday nights than any other nights." Howell said these nights when most students go out to clubs or bars and return home late. "Most of them are new to the area and are going out [to bars] for the first time. Some of them are drinking illegally and don’t know how to handle alcohol. "The crimes committed by intoxicated students are usually destruction of property or disorderly conduct. Students who have been drinking are more likely to destroy things or just get loud and out of control." She said underage drinking and public intoxication may also contribute to a person’s chances of becoming a victim of crime. "When students are robbed or assaulted, most of the time the assailants are sober and the victims are drunk," Howell said. "Their judgment is affected by the the alcohol. When you go out Thursday or Friday nights and are drinking, you tend to let your guard down. A lot of times students are walking home alone and are too intoxicated to defend themselves. If they are robbed or assaulted, they can’t remember a description of the person who took advantage of them." Students can protect themselves by knowing when crimes take place and being more cautious. Howell said students may find more information on the MUPD web-site: www.marshall.edu/MUPD/. More Info Tips for reducing chances of becoming a victim of theft:
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