Campus and Medical Center Crime Rates Drop

Incidents of violent and property crime at the UC Davis campus and its medical center in Sacramento decreased by 19 percent last year, as measured by the FBI Crime Index in an annual report of crimes at UC's nine campuses. Incidents of violent crime decreased from 13 to five in 1998. The number of property crimes, the most frequent type of crime at UC Davis, also decreased by 18 percent from 1,083 to 884. Data showed that violent crime--including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault--represented less than 1 percent of all crimes reported. The five incidents of violent crime included the first homicide at UC Davis in 14 years. The body of a farm laborer, with no affiliation to the university, was found in a rural area on the southern edge of the campus in August. Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs more than doubled from 29 to 63. The vast majority of those arrested in all incidents had no affiliation with UC Davis. "While crime does occur at UC Davis and its medical center, the rate of both violent crime and property crime continues to be significantly lower than in the surrounding communities and in California as a whole," says Calvin Handy, chief of the UC Davis Police Department. "In our efforts to provide a safe environment," he adds, "we operate a comprehensive awareness program aimed at preventing crime, provide professional police services, and work in cooperation and collaboration with our communities."

Media Resources

Julia Ann Easley, General news (emphasis: business, K-12 outreach, education, law, government and student affairs), 530-752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu

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