the Informer

The illusion that there is more crime on campus than in previous years is just that, an illusion according to Director of Public Safety, John Schmaltz.

The Crime Alert system, which has been in place for years, recently underwent new guidelines under the Clery Act, which specifies when Public Safety must release information to students.

“Nothing is out of the ordinary,” Schmaltz said, “The new guidelines make it seem like more.”

According to the Crime Alert report, “The University’s Department of Public Safety publishes such bulletins in order to both alert and educate the members of our community to “Suspicious Incidents” or “Crimes” that occur on campus. It is our belief that informed individuals can take steps to deter and in other instances prevent future crimes from occurring through the timely dissemination of such information.”

However, Schmaltz did address the most recent Crime Alert, which included a strange break in at the Village Apartments over the weekend. According to the report, “an unknown Caucasian male opened the screen of a first floor apartment and reached inside with his arm.  Prior to this, several Caucasian males were seen in the area, one of which was referred to as “Scotty.”  The female occupant, who was awoken by this, yelled and the unknown male fled the area.  No one was hurt and no property was damaged or stolen as a result of this incident.”

“It was probably kids clowning around drunk,” Schmaltz said.

In the past few weeks, crime has seemed like it has risen especially after the car break ins. No one was caught for the acts and according to Schmaltz, no witnesses appeared and nothing came up on cameras. It was a dead end investigation.

“Public safety can only do so much,” Schmaltz said, “Campus is only as safe as the students want it to be.”

Schmaltz also addressed the recent break ins to unlocked Village Apartments in which video game systems, money and medications were taken along with various other belongings.

“It’s kind of foolish,” Schmaltz said, “Kids need to secure their property.”

Each call that comes into Public Safety is investigated and confirmed. Crime Alerts are chosen based on timeliness and the level of threat to the rest of the University community.

“If it is an ex boyfriend breaking into a girl’s apartment, obviously he is not going to go around and break into other apartments,” Schmaltz said, “That is not a threat.”

Threats occur when something such as the car break ins occur. That was an act that was criminal and could have affected more of the campus population.

Overall, students are reminded to be smart about safety. Schmaltz stressed the importance of locking up belongings, not leaving doors open, using the buddy system while walking on campus, especially at night, and programming your phone with the numbers for Public Safety. -cc