UAlbany Police Department Reports Safest Year

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ALBANY, NY (February 21, 2002) -- The incidence of crime reported at the University at Albany last year was the lowest since records were first collected in 1980.

The University Police Department's annual report shows 810 crimes reported in 2001, down from 998 in 2000. The biggest decreases were in petit theft, which declined 35 percent, and grand larceny, which declined 34 percent. Burglary declined 31 percent, while alcohol related incidents declined 60 percent. Only two crime categories rose during this period. Assaults rose from 13 incidents in 2000 to 17 in 2001, and robbery rose from three to five incidents in the same time period.

In all other crime categories, the numbers reported remained stable or declined. Overall arrests declined to 219 from 255, and the UPD conducted 328 traffic stops.

"The UPD continues to work hard, " said UPD Chief Frank Wiley, "to improve itself to better serve the University community and contribute to the very qualify of life here at the University at Albany."

In one of its many innovations for 2001, the UPD established a Victim Assistance Liaison to help victims access both on and off campus support services, including academic support. The UPD also introduced a new compliment and suggestion form intended to make the feedback process more convenient. As a consequence of the terrorist acts of September 11, the department enhanced security at sporting and other events by screening packages, using metal detection and increasing police presence. Additionally, UPD established its first K-9 unit. The dog has, among others skills, the specific ability to detect explosives.

"We've had the safest year on record," said Chief Wiley, "I attribute this to the dedication of our officers, useful community feedback and the responsible behavior of our students and staff. Our increased security, including our successful Blue Light phones program, has also helped enormously. I look forward to a most successful year in 2002."

Citizen Satisfaction Surveys conclude that some 90 percent found UPD officers to be "good" to "excellent," while 89 percent rated the department "good" to "excellent." In rating campus safety, some 92 percent of those surveyed felt "safe" or "very safe," up from 83 percent in 2000. For more on the University at Albany Police Department, visit http://police.albany.edu.

Established in 1844 and designated a center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in eight degree-granting schools and colleges. For more information about this nationally ranked University, visit https://www.albany.edu

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