By Karen Gavis/managing editor
According to a recently released crime statistics report, TCC is a relatively safe place. However, there was a noticeable rise in auto thefts and liquor law violators.
Motor vehicle thefts jumped from one reported theft in 2010 to eight in 2011, and while there were 28 reports of burglary of a vehicle in 2010, that number dropped to 17 in 2011.
Liquor law violations were non-existent across the district in 2010, but seven reported violations were on the books for 2011. All but one liquor report was on NE Campus. SE Campus was home to the remaining statistic.
NE Campus police Sgt. Terry Richards said the statistics depend a lot upon a student’s audacity to drink on campus as well as their ability to conceal themselves.
“A thousand people might speed down the highway, but only a few will get caught,” he said. “Alcohol violations aren’t really that prevalent.”
The report issued by TCC’s police department includes statistical and security information from all campuses for 2009-2011 plus crime statistics on adjacent public property.
“My overall impression of the statistics would draw my attention to the motor vehicle thefts and the burglary of motor vehicles,” TCC assistant police chief C. Leigh Dietrich said.
Motor vehicle theft occurs when a vehicle is stolen, Dietrich said, but burglary of a motor vehicle is when an item is stolen from a vehicle.
“While I would be hesitant to identify any specific trends on any one campus, these two offenses have the highest occurrence rate,” she said.
Brochures have been distributed in different areas throughout the district with information that can help reduce those incidents.
“Those brochures were designed by our crime prevention officers as a proactive measure to aid in protecting vehicles and valuables but were not in response to campus crime statistics,” she said.
“Safety and security are shared responsibilities,” he said. “Each of us must take basic precautions such as being aware of our immediate surroundings, locking vehicle doors and securing rooms or buildings where high-dollar items, valuables or equipment are located.”
Copies of the crime statistics report can be obtained through campus police departments or online at www.tccd.edu, Dietrich said.
