Violent crime at the University of California, Davis, decreased 43 percent in 1996, but the number of property crimes committed increased by 12 percent. These findings are part of a report prepared annually by the University of California Police Department on reported crimes at UC's nine campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. "Statistics continue to suggest that, while crime does occur on campus and at the medical center in Sacramento, the rate of both violent crime and property crime continues to be lower than in the communities that surround us," said UC Davis Police Chief Calvin Handy. Data from the Davis campus and its medical center in Sacramento showed that violent crime -- including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault and forcible and non-forcible sex offenses -- represented less than 1 percent of all crimes committed. No rapes were reported last year. In 1995, three rapes were reported and in 1994, two rapes were reported to the campus police. Four robberies were reported last year, the same number as in 1995. Six were reported in 1994. Two of the 1996 robberies occurred on the Davis campus and two at the medical center in Sacramento. One of the robberies at the medical center was an attempt only, and no property was taken. In the other robbery at the medical center a firearm was used. Of the two robberies on the Davis campus, one was an attempted strong-arm holdup and the second was a purse snatch in which a 15-year-old juvenile was arrested. Four aggravated assaults were reported last year, down three from 1995 and down two from 1994. Three of the cases occurred on the Davis campus in a student housing area. Three deadly weapons were used: a hammer, a BB gun and a screwdriver. Arrests were made in three of the four cases. None of those arrested had any affiliation with the campus. In the one assault case at the medical center, an iron rod was used, resulting in minor injuries to the victim. A suspect was identified and arrested. Property crimes, which include burglary, arson and theft of such items as bicycles, stereos, and cellular phones decreased significantly in 1996, according to the year-end statistics. Burglary on the Davis campus decreased by nearly 19 percent from 1995. "We attribute the decrease in our burglaries to concentrated patrols in targeted areas," Handy said. "Two areas where significant decreases occurred in 1996 were bicycle and general theft," the chief said. Burglaries dropped from 133 reports in 1995 to 108 this past year. The majority of the burglaries were unforced, possibly through use of a key. Bicycle theft declined nearly 12 percent while automobile thefts increased 10 percent last year. Four arsons were reported in 1996, all resulting in little or no property damage. Six arsons were reported in 1995. Drunken-driving arrests decreased by more than 50 percent from a year ago. UC Davis police officers arrested 21 on the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol last year. Of those arrested, none had any affiliation with the campus or the medical center in Sacramento. For all offenses committed during the year, UC Davis police officers arrested 159 individuals, down 214 from a year ago. Arrests in 1996 declined, which is consistent with the drop in overall crime, noted Handy. Campus crime is counted through the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the same program used by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The UC Davis Police Department program highlights include: • The department's Rape Prevention and Education Program continues to expand its services to the campus community, noted Handy. Through 264 presentations, the staff reached 7,754 campus employees. The mission of the unit is to reduce the incidence of sexual assault through education. • This past year, the criminal detective unit investigated a wide variety of crimes. Cases involving computer theft and unauthorized computer access were solved as were those in which people sent threatening e-mail. The capability to produce color prints from surveillance videos has assisted in solving cases at the medical center. • The Cal Aggie Host program, created in 1981 by the UC Davis Police Department, provides a wide range of services for events held on campus. For example, the 120 UC Davis students in the program provide ushering and crowd-control functions for the many campus events through the year. In addition, the program continues to offer nightly escorts for students, staff and faculty. This past year, Cal Aggie hosts escorted campus community members more than 3,300 times. u