The total number of incidents of violent and property crime combined at the University of California, Davis, decreased by more than 22 percent last year. This drop in the campus's FBI Crime Index, which measures by simple addition the most serious violent crimes and property crimes in eight categories, is part of an annual report on crimes at UC's nine campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It is prepared by the university system's police department. At UC Davis and its medical center in Sacramento, incidents of violent crime increased from eight to 13 in 1997, with only four of those occurring on the campus itself. But the number of property crimes decreased by almost 23 percent from 1404 to 1084. "While crime does occur at UC Davis and its 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 Calvin Handy, chief of police at UC Davis. "In our efforts to provide a safe environment," he added, "we operate a comprehensive awareness program aimed at preventing crime, provide professional police services, and work in cooperation and collaboration with our communities." VIOLENT CRIMES Data 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. The 13 incidents of violent crime included five robberies and eight aggravated assaults, and police made arrests in six of those cases. For the second consecutive year, no rapes or homicides were reported to university police. Of the five robberies reported last year, one happened on the Davis campus and involved the use of a knife. The other four robberies, including two attempts, occurred at the medical center; a pocketknife was used in one robbery and a skateboard in another. Of the eight aggravated assaults, including two that were racially motivated, three cases happened on the Davis campus; two were in the housing areas, and one involved the use of a bottle. The five remaining cases occurred at the medical center; three involved the use of a vehicle. PROPERTY CRIMES Burglary decreased by nearly 14 percent, from 108 reports in 1996 to 93 this past year. Of the 1997 burglaries, 43 percent involved no use of force to enter the premises. Bicycle theft decreased by 38.5 percent, from 622 in 1996 to 382 in 1997. "The steady decline in bicycle thefts from a high of 954 in 1993 reflects a major priority of the department," said Handy. He added that the police department actively encourages new students to lock their bikes, that the university has provided more racks for bike security, and that police detectives themselves now take reports on bicycle thefts and investigate them. Automobile theft decreased by 8 percent, from 48 to 44. Stereos, CDs and cellular phones were the most popular items taken in 557 thefts other than burglaries and auto thefts. Police recovered 8.6 percent of the $250,532 in university property stolen in 1997 and 28 percent of the $410,509 in personal property stolen that year. Eight arsons were reported in 1997, up from four in 1996. In all cases, there was little or no property damage. DRUNKEN-DRIVING ARRESTS Drunken-driving arrests increased by 38 percent from a year ago. UC Davis police officers arrested 29 individuals on the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol last year. Handy said the increase in arrests reflects heightened attention to the problem of impaired driving. UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION For all offenses committed during the year, UC Davis police officers arrested 342 individuals, up from 199 a year ago. Of the 59 individuals arrested for violent and property crime, 71 percent were not affiliated with the university or medical center as a student or a member of the faculty or staff. Of the 283 individuals arrested for other offenses, 86 percent were not affiliated with the university or medical center. Of all 1997 cases, nine involved weapons (of those, six occurred at the medical center), 59 were related to alcohol (50 at the medical center) and eight to domestic violence (five at the Davis campus). Four police officers were assaulted, and of those cases, two at the medical center resulted in personal injury. Campus crimes reported or known to police are counted through the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, used by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS The UC Davis Police Department special crime prevention programs include: • The Rape Prevention and Education Program -- it continues to expand its services to the campus community, noted Handy. Program staff made 272 presentations to 7,454 individuals; spoke to 51 classes; provided 41 training sessions to resident staff and peer counselors in sexuality, among others; and distributed information at special events. The program provided support and advocacy services to 184 individuals who were either victims of sexual assault or their significant others. • The Directed Patrol program -- it reallocates personnel to respond to emerging problems for a given period and this year was responsible for the arrest of two people for burglary and one for trespass. In the Adopt-a-Building program, one of its components, an officer serves as police liaison for those who work and learn in a building of the officer's choice. For example, the officer who adopted the library in 1996-97 met with staff to develop procedures for dealing with the presence of suspicious persons. • Special presentations -- university police and other departments began offering a series of presentations, led by police officers, on workplace safety and security including front-desk security and robbery prevention.