2008 Woodie Awards
UNH crime figures mixed
reports of violent crime down, while forcible sexual assualt on the rise
Abigail Crocker
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: News
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Violent crime on campus is currently on the downswing even though reports of violent crimes of assault have been relatively high this semester, according to UNH Police Chief Deputy Paul Dean. However, forcible sexual assault has been on the upswing, according to SHARPP.
"I wait to see if crime patterns even out," said Dean. "Before Homecoming, campus crime peaks then settles down as midterms approach." However, 50 to 60 percent of the crimes committed on campus were by non-university affiliated parties, even though UNH has lost much of its party-school reputation recently.
"People see the university as a beacon in the night. They come here to meet people of the opposite sex," said Dean. "But what people don't understand is that it's not a place to come to. We're heavily policed."
Amy Culp, SHARPP direct services coordinator, said the number of people receiving their services has been elevated in October.
"It's typically high in October. It's a trend for some people to push forward. There have been two cases, but last year there were none," said Culp.
There were nine forcible sex offenses reported to police in '05. However, SHARPP's numbers are much higher. In '05, there were 38 accounts of sexual assault reported within the community. There were also five accounts of stalking and 13 accounts of domestic violence.
Many victims of sexual assault chose not to go to police; therefore, police receive less sex offense reports than SHARPP.
Dean said that the number of students arrested by UNH police is small when compared to the overall figures.
"I find the propensity of students is generally law abiding," said Dean. "They have more to lose than just liberty. They could lose their education and for some offenses, they could lose their financial aid."
Esther Tardy-Wolfe, director of UNH judicial systems, said crime is "pretty low." If a student is charged of assault, he or she could be suspended or dismissed. Campus housing privileges could also be revoked.
"I wait to see if crime patterns even out," said Dean. "Before Homecoming, campus crime peaks then settles down as midterms approach." However, 50 to 60 percent of the crimes committed on campus were by non-university affiliated parties, even though UNH has lost much of its party-school reputation recently.
"People see the university as a beacon in the night. They come here to meet people of the opposite sex," said Dean. "But what people don't understand is that it's not a place to come to. We're heavily policed."
Amy Culp, SHARPP direct services coordinator, said the number of people receiving their services has been elevated in October.
"It's typically high in October. It's a trend for some people to push forward. There have been two cases, but last year there were none," said Culp.
There were nine forcible sex offenses reported to police in '05. However, SHARPP's numbers are much higher. In '05, there were 38 accounts of sexual assault reported within the community. There were also five accounts of stalking and 13 accounts of domestic violence.
Many victims of sexual assault chose not to go to police; therefore, police receive less sex offense reports than SHARPP.
Dean said that the number of students arrested by UNH police is small when compared to the overall figures.
"I find the propensity of students is generally law abiding," said Dean. "They have more to lose than just liberty. They could lose their education and for some offenses, they could lose their financial aid."
Esther Tardy-Wolfe, director of UNH judicial systems, said crime is "pretty low." If a student is charged of assault, he or she could be suspended or dismissed. Campus housing privileges could also be revoked.
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