MIT Reports to the President 1996-97

CAMPUS POLICE

The MIT Campus Police Department recommitted itself to providing services to the community through partnerships that reduce crime, created a safe environment, built trust, and enhanced the quality of life in the academic community. The department is further committed to delivering quality service to the community in an effective, responsive, and professional manner. As part of this dedication to service, the department has incorporated four values reflecting the qualities of the community: partnerships, integrity, dignity, and excellence.

Although reported thefts of Institute property, personal property, and residence hall thefts dropped during the year, the total number of reported incidents of larceny of Institute property continued to be the largest category of crime on the MIT campus. Crimes against persons increased by one from last year to a total of 26 for the year.

Computers and computer components were, once again, the most frequent type of Institute-owned property stolen. There were 475 incidents of thefts of personal property reported at sites other than residences, compared with 706 last year. Wallets, pocketbooks, compact disc players, and backpacks led the list of articles stolen. Thefts reported inside residences numbered 68 this year compared with 193 last year. Wallets, cash, bicycles, and cameras were the major targets.

Motor vehicle thefts on campus increased slightly. There were 24 motor vehicle thefts this year compared to 19 last year. However, the theft of bicycles dropped significantly from 227 last year to 143 this year.

The Safe Ride safety shuttle service provided 137,230 personal safety escorts during the year. Campus Police also supplemented Safe Ride when early morning operations ceased by providing 839 personal safety escorts in police cruisers to members of the community.

The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) self-defense program continued to be a popular course. During the year, the program increased the total number of persons trained to 296 since the start of the program in 1994.

More information about this department, its services, operations, and campus crime can be found on the World Wide Web at the following URL: http://web.mit.edu/cp/www/.

Anne P. Glavin

MIT Reports to the President 1996-97