The latest Campus Security and Fire Safety Report from the university’s Department of Public Safety, released on Sept. 24, shows that most of the crimes occurring around campus do not involve NYU students. The report takes into account all crimes occurring in the area around the Washington Square campus.
The report, which contains statistics for the calendar years 2010 to 2012, shows zero weapons-related arrests in 2012, as well as significant decreases in drug-related and alcohol-related arrests on public property. The report cites 49 drug-related arrests in 2012 and 142 alcohol-related arrests, down from 67 and 220, respectively, in 2011.
“By far, most of the individuals issued citations for violations of the alcohol and drug laws in the public property areas such as Washington Square Park are not affiliated with NYU,” said Jay Zwicker, the assistant director of Public Safety.
While arrests around campus may be decreasing, there was a noticeable increase in instances of alcohol-related disciplinary action, jumping from 1,615 in 2011, to 2,086 in 2012. But Zwicker pointed out that these variations are common.
“There are always fluctuations from year to year in the number of referrals for drug and alcohol violations of law to the Office of Community Standards,” he said. “I am unaware of any particular factors for the changes that occurred from 2011 to 2012.”
Burglary and forcible sex offenses were the most common crimes not including arrests, with 19 and 11 reported instances, respectively.
Zwicker noted that larceny remains the most frequent on-campus issue. Larceny is not included in the annual crime report, even though NYU maintains records of these thefts. Larceny is different from both burglary and robberies — burglaries involve breaking and entering, while robberies involve threats or assault.
“Theft or larceny of unattended property, especially small electronics such as laptops, tablets and smartphones, remains the most prevalent type of crime not only at NYU but almost every university and college,” Zwicker said.
The university’s consistent levels of low-crime are due in part to NYU’s relationship with the New York City Police Department, Zwicker explained.
“The most important message students, and the entire university community, can draw from the report is that the Department of Public Safety maintains an excellent relationship with the NYPD,” he said.