Between 2004 and 2005, the number of crimes committed on the campus of Southern University Baton Rouge has decreased, according to statistics released by the university’s police department.
“I think it is a combination of students being aware of what is going on, and you can also contribute it to the police officers,” said Terry Landry, interim police chief for SUPD. “I also believe that the administration is playing a major role in the reduction of crime.”
“They too want to see (the) crime decrease on campus,” Landry said.
University police officials say there can be many varying factors which contribute to the decrease in crimes on campus, one being the stricter admission standards implemented by the university this semester.
“The requirements should continue to go up to better the university, so that (they may) weed out people that should not be here,” said Dionne Allen, a senior psychology major from Laplace. “It will also challenge future black college students.”
According to the report, theft has always been one of the most frequently committed crimes on campus, but it too experienced a significant decline within a year.
In 2004, there were 138 reported cases of theft compared to 36 reported cases in 2005, the report said.
Landry said the increase in security, on and off campus, helped to minimize the number of reported cases of marijuana possession, which the report said experienced an 11 percent drop.
Simple assault is also down by 50 percent, and armed robbery took a 57 percent decline, the report said.
“We are increasing the number of officers,” Landry said, referring to the additions of the new officers who began duty on campus September 11.
“We are currently interviewing for quality and professional police who want to serve the campus,” Landry said. “Someone who really wants to make a difference and that practices good police features.”
Other factors police officials say have helped in the reduction of campus crime include increased security, night vision cameras, call boxes and other strict security measures that have prevented crimes from happening.