Spiked by increases in burglaries and larcenies, major crimes at Fairfield increased 37 percent in the calendar year 2002 compared to a year earlier, according to the university’s annual crime report set for release Oct. 1.
In the major crime categories, there were a total of 141 incidents reported in 2002, up from 103 in 2001. Burglaries totaled 36 in 2002, double what they were in 2001, and larcenies totaled 96, up from 73.
Looking at those two categories, Associate Director of Security Frank Ficko said, “That’s where the difference is.”
Ficko downplayed the 37 percent overall increase, saying the numbers fluctuate from year to year, which could explain the increase, even one as large as presented within the last two years.
“To me those numbers are pretty consistent,” said Ficko, “I don’t see that large of a gap.”
The 141 incidents in 2002 were consistent with longer term trends on campus. In 1999 there were 151 reported crimes and 168 in 2000. The four-year average was 140.75, consistent with this year’s total.
In the other major categories for 2002, there were four forcible sexual offenses, one robbery, one aggravated assault, one case of arson, and two weapons possessions, one of which was when Patrick Arbelo ’01 took a class in Canisius hostage.
Despite the increase, students still feel safe on campus, although they exercise simple precautions. “I think our campus is really safe, but I wouldn’t leave my bag lying around here. That’s stupid,” said Ashley Flynn ’05.
Heather Morassini ’05 mirrored these sentiments when she said, “I don’t feel unsafe, but I’m still going to lock my door.”
There are some students on campus who disagree, however. “I never really see campus security, especially at night,” said Jamie Farrell ’06. “I would feel more secure if their presence was more visible, and they did leave me without a ride one night.”
The largest statistic reported is larceny, which is not required by law to publish, though Fairfield police always has done so. Fordham University, Sacred Heart University and Boston College do not report larceny.
The difference between a burglary and a larceny is that a burglary occurs in a private residence, while a larceny is theft from a public area. “The number one thorn in our side is property crimes,” said Ficko.
“Crimes of opportunity are the reason why those numbers in larceny are so high,” Ficko explained. “It’s not the forced entries we’re seeing a lot of here, that’s very unusual, it’s when people don’t take simple precautions.”
Two years ago there was a startling increase in reported sexual assault from one instance in 2000 to eight instances in 2001. The 2002 report had only four instances of sexual assault in comparison.
Briana Tenaglia ’04 said, “Fairfield is not a scary place.” Amanda Peters ’07 said, “Security is visible and I think they’re doing a good job.”
Referrals made for liquor law violations were down to 617 from 778 while referrals made for drug abuse Violations were up to 126 from 107.
The Uniform Campus Crime Report is released every year in accordance with Connecticut General Statue Section 10a-55 and Public Law 101-542. Fairfield Security distributes the crime report by mail to all university students, full-time faculty and prep-students.
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