Public Safety deems semsester 's campus crime management 'pretty successful'

While Public Safety will not have a complete evaluation until they review the number of incidents recorded by other departments, Public Safety Director Angie Nally said fall was "a pretty successful semester" for campus safety. Nally most notably saw a decrease in "outside intrusion." The term encompasses theft, trespassing and damage from non-University employees or residents. Despite successfully reducing intrusion, Nally said students should maintain vigilant security of their vehicles and property since there have been some issues.

Nally said the intrusion incidents came from individuals not associated with the University entering buildings and causing damage or taking items.

Sophomore Mackenzie Knight, resident adviser for Bishop Roberts Hall floor two, said she saw an improvement in intrusion incidents from last year, when she witnessed people leaving the front doors of dorms open. "People are being smarter," she said.

Thefts have gone down with reduced trespassing, Nally said. However with the economy in a downward spiral, she said she expects theft to increase again.

Alcohol management has also been successful this semester, Nally said. The University's Public Safety activity log lists 11 campus alcohol violations leading to trips to the Putnam County Hospital this semester, compared with nine in fall 2007.

Knight said she saw fewer alcohol incidents this semester.

"Last year as a freshman I saw several people go to the hospital, and this year I haven't seen any," Knight said.

Monon Bell weekend, traditionally one of the biggest for drinking, was manageable, Nally said. Public Safety interacted with visibly intoxicated people at similar rates to past years, she said.

Students weren't always the biggest campus crime issue. Nally said guests, particularly younger alumni, caused additional problems.

"Sometimes they actually take more attention than our current students," she said.

Overall, Nally views the weekend as a success, particularly in keeping students safe on campus.

"I'm grateful that it was a safe weekend and the majority of students had a good time and were in control," Nally said.



New Interfraternity Council Policy

As the new academic year began, freshmen and fraternities had a new policy to follow. The time in which freshmen were permitted on fraternity property was extended from last fall and freshmen were allowed to attend weekend registered parties.

Junior Andrew Emhardt, Interfraternity Council's vice president for Risk Management, said via e-mail the group's first-year policy was changed "to accommodate the burden it places on rush and the chapters' ability to meet first-years in a social setting."

"By passing the new policy we are hoping to alleviate some of the burden placed on fraternities and also force them to have extensive risk management when hosting first-years," Emhardt wrote. "This way the house can protect themselves while being more inclusive."

Nally said she saw fewer incidents in the residence halls since more students were on fraternity property. Emhardt believes the policy has been effective.

"Fraternities have taken it upon themselves to make it work," Emhardt wrote. "There has not been any serious violation of the policy thus far, and we have seen a great response from the fraternities and from first-years. In the past the policy has been very one-sided, but now it has been doing well to incorporate all DePauw students."

Emhardt added that the fraternities response to the policy has been "positive."

Nally said she supports IFC's policy, saying fraternities have more responsibility, so they must protect themselves to be a social outlet. Specifically Nally said she thought fraternities did an "excellent job" with their risk management plans over the Halloween weekend. It was a holiday, and the first weekend freshmen were allowed to attend registered parties.

Nally said the next semester with be very busy with more events and activities on the calendar. Winter term, she said, brings a very different atmosphere to campus. However, this doesn't mean changes for Public Safety.

"We're looking for the same level of security and response from a police standpoint," Nally said.