Kyle Seidel

The recently released 2003-2004 University Police annual report shows a decline in the number of underage drinking, drug abuse and theft complaints from the previous school year.

Despite the decline, those three complaints remain the most common.

“What you see in the statistics really reflects what the major complaints are,” said Rexann Lemke, assistant chief of University Police.

According to the report, campus police encountered 158 instances of underage drinking, down from 215 in the 2002-2003 school year.

Alcohol-related complaints, Lemke said, are common in an environment with many students approaching the legal drinking age of 21.

Cases of drug abuse complaints reached 124, down from 170 from the previous year, according to the report.

The drug-related calls, which typically involve marijuana, are not necessarily due to the college environment – such problems often originate before college, Lemke said.

Investigations concerning theft of personal property numbered 19, down from 67 in 2002-2003. Campus police dealt with 28 alleged cases involving state property, down slightly from 32.

Overall, property reported stolen during the 2003-2004 school year was valued at $36,982, according to the report.

Theft, Lemke said, is often due to students failing to remain cautious of belongings while living in close proximity to one another.

“(Students) need to be more careful with valuables,” she said.

Sophomore Cali Jonson wasn’t surprised by the trend, especially with crimes related to underage drinking and drugs.

“It’s just stuff that college students do,” she said. “Everyone goes out … and a lot of people do drugs.”

Jonson, who was cited for underage drinking in Monroe County, said the consequences for underage drinking rarely serve as a deterrent. She said many students disregard the fines and alcohol classes that are imposed upon them.

She also said that unless part of a larger pattern of abuse, underage drinking should not be a serious concern for law enforcement in a college setting.

“Alcohol, unless it’s being abused, isn’t a big deal,” she said.

Lemke said in addition to imposing fines and other consequences, University Police takes deliberate steps to educate the student body. Such steps include presentations at orientations and working closely with RAs.

Lemke said while campus police prefer educating students to prevent violations, fines and other repercussions are strictly enforced. She said hopefully these actions account for the general decline.

“We try to educate people whenever we can,” she said. “Hopefully between the high cost of fines and trying to educate students, hopefully that’s why the decline is there.”