While an FBI report indicated an increase in violent crimes on campus last year, the UT Police Department chief disagreed Tuesday with the way the statistics are calculated, claiming the cited rise to be erroneous.
The FBI 2000 Uniform Crime Report, released last week, said the University's incidents of violent crime rose to 13 in 2000 from three in 1999. But according to UTPD's records, the number of violent crimes rose to 15 in 2000 from 14 in 1999.
The University ranked third in lowest crime rates for the most populated U.S. four--year universities, while Texas A&M was ranked first.
University of California at Los Angeles and Arizona State University tied for the first highest crime rate with 29 violent crimes.
The report said violent crimes include murder and non--negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
UTPD Chief Jeffrey Van Slyke said the criteria by which the FBI compiles statistics differ from the record keeping standards for the University.
The FBI documented one forcible rape in 2000 at the University which falls in its own category, while the University categorizes rape within the sexual assault category. Thus, under the University's method, three offenses were committed under the sexual assault category.
Also, UTPD is required to document crimes within surrounding non--campus buildings and adjacent public property, causing UTPD to include crimes committed outside of the department's patrol area, Van Slyke said.
As a result, violent crime numbers at the University appear higher than what is actually committed on campus.
Van Slyke attributed the University's low violent crime rate to its close proximity to the Capitol, with numerous state troopers, Austin police officers and UTPD officers patrolling the area.
"We have a strong presence without being intrusive," he said. "By and large, people avoid going through campus."
Bob Wiatt, director of security and university police at Texas A&M, said that A&M ranked first in lowest violent crime because of the education services that the department provides.
Wiatt said the Texas A&M Police Department works proactively to teach incoming freshmen about crime risks on campus.
"This is not an Alice in Wonderland," Wiatt said. "Bad people lurk here."
More crime prevention education is needed at UT, said Brandy Wicker, director of the Students United for Rape Elimination. The Student Government-funded organization assists students needing an escort from the Undergraduate Library or Perry-Caste±eda Library Sunday through Thursday evenings.
However, the agency is still working to let students know that the service is offered, she said.
"There's not enough education but we were working on it," Wicker said.
Van Slyke agreed, adding that many students are unaware of the services the UTPD provides as well.
The department's Web site provides tips on crime prevention, such as how to avoid anthrax exposure or what to look for when hiring a babysitter, he said.
Officers are also available to speak out about campus safety at student organization meetings and twice a month the department holds a rape awareness and defense course on campus, Van Slyke added.
"[The course] is a system that provides women with options when they are confronted by an assailant," he said.
Property theft, the bulk of the crimes committed on campus, can only be prevented when students use their common sense, Van Slyke said.
According to campus crime statistics, 738 burglaries, larcenies or motor vehicle thefts occurred on the UT campus in 2000.
Van Slyke advised that students shouldn't bring a lot of valuables with them to campus, nor should they leave their things unattended.
"Your parents secured your house at night," he said. "Now you have to do that."
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