Crime is reportedly increasing in the city of Long Beach, but the statistics are not the same for Cal State Long Beach.
According to the Long Beach Police Department’s annual crime statistics report, the number of murder and rape crimes dropped considerably in 2011, but other crimes rose.
The report cited that robberies increased by approximately 10 percent and aggravated assault rose by 2 percent, leading to an overall increase of 4.4 percent in violent crimes.
However, this does not necessarily reflect the crime trends on campus.
University Police is still generating its crime statistics for 2011, but Captain Scott Brown said he doesn’t anticipate that it will show a huge spike in crimes reported on campus.
“The trend stays about the same,” he said. “We kind of mirror the city, but not nearly as much in terms of sexual crimes and things like that.”
The University Police’s media log listed two reports of aggravated assault and two reports of sexual assault/rape made in 2010.
“I firmly believe sexual assault is probably the most under-reported crime we have, unfortunately,” Brown said. “We’re here to help. We want to do whatever’s best for the victim, the survivor in this instance, and help them in any way we can.”
The crime first needs to be reported, Brown said. He said property crimes are reported most often.
LBPD reported a 10.5 percent increase in property crimes, which includes arson, burglary and theft.
“[CSULB is] kind of your one-stop shopping center for theft,” Brown said. “When kids come here, they lock expensive bikes with cable locks. Cable locks take a second to break. They don’t want to get a U-Lock. It’s a little more expensive, but they have an expensive bike — so lock it with an expensive lock. Make your bike unattractive.”
Ernesto Pelayo, a senior mechanical engineering major, said he’s never had any personal experiences with crime, but knows others who have. Pelayo said he has a friend whose bike was stolen near campus on Atherton Street in the summer.
But, as far as personal safety goes, Brown said, “Students need to be aware. Think. Engage the brain first, then act.”
He highlighted the facilities and free services that the University Police provide — including its Night Escort Program, which offers students a ride to their vehicle, and Code Blue emergency telephones located throughout campus.
“As much as [the campus] may feel like home, it’s not,” Brown said. “You have to be wary. Think while you’re walking, think about what you’re doing.”
University Police can be contacted at any time at 562-985-4101.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.