The 2008 Annual Crime Statistics and Policies Report was released to the ACU community last week, providing university-related crime statistics for the past three years. The report, which is required by law to be distributed to universities, is a collection of data gathered by the ACU Police that mark crime trends and statistics from 2006-2008.

Crimes within the ACU Police Department’s jurisdiction include occurrences in or on buildings or property on and off campus, as well as on any public property adjacent to campus.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said these crimes have remained at a consistent low during the past three years.

“Year to year, our numbers have stayed the same,” said Ellison. “We do see occasional jumps or occasional decreases, but there’s nothing really to hang your hat on. That’s just what statistics will do over a three-year period.”

Ellison said burglary and motor vehicle theft statistics have risen significantly in the past year in relation to 2007. The most recent statistics show burglary on campus almost doubled since last year, from nine to 16, and occurrences of motor vehicle theft rose from one to three.

While burglaries represented by the report are typically thefts from dorm rooms, they fall under the legal definition of burglary, so the department must count them as such. This results in higher statistics, he said.

Ellison said he noticed no direct correlation between last year’s alcohol policy change and liquor law violation statistics in 2008, although there was a slight increase in those violations from last year.

“People now know what the policy is and know that the policy is clear and makes clear distinctions between of-age and underage [drinking],” Ellison said. “From a police department perspective, we’re seeing the policy as having a positive effect.”

Although reports of sexual offense have decreased over the three-year period, Ellison said this is one of the most underreported crimes. He encourages students to take advantage of anonymous complaints to the police so these offenses can be prevented before they occur.

Other standard precautions include locking dorm rooms, residences and cars, keeping valuables out of sight, creating boundaries in relationships and notifying friends or keeping a cell phone accessible while out at night.

Ellison said although the statistics report is required by law, the police department’s goal in providing the report is to raise awareness within the ACU community about crime and, by doing so, avoid future crimes.

“I would say, overall, members of ACU community are very proactive in reporting,” Ellison said. “Statistically, we are seeing more and more calls for service come in at the ACU Police Department. From an overall campus safety perspective, we’re glad more people are reporting and hope that continues.”