Crime throughout the 2013-2014 winter break dropped significantly compared to the previous winter break, according to numbers compiled by the LSU Police Department.
Data collected over 32 days reveals 45 incidents were reported during the 2013-2014 winter break, which is 45 fewer reported incidents than were reported during the 2012-2013 winter break.
Criminal activities such as trespassing, theft and property damage decreased compared to the number of total incidents reported during the 2012-2013 winter break.
LSUPD spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde attributed the change in reported incidents partly to the department’s increase in the length of its patrol officers’ shifts.
“We transitioned from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts for our patrol officers,” Lalonde said. “One of the reasons that we did this was to maximize the number of officers we had on the road at one particular time.”
Lalonde clarified that by increasing the total hours included in a patrol shift, the department has been able to increase the total number of patrol cars on the road. Before, during an eight-hour shift, the department could maintain four or five vehicles on patrol. The extended 12-hour shifts allow for five to seven patrol cars on the road at one time.
When factoring in the department’s motorcycle patrol, Lalonde said it is possible to have a total of 12 officers who are ready to answer calls around campus.
“It gives us more of a presence,” Lalonde said.
He explained that the longer shift lengths enable the department to be more proactive in addressing calls from the LSU community.
Lalonde said the “See Something, Say Something” campaign, as well as the Adopt-a-Hall program are other contributing factors to the decrease in criminal incidents.
Some of the biggest changes in these statistics relate to traffic incidents. A total of 16 car crashes and seven hit-and-runs occurred during the 2012-2013 winter break, while there was only one reported crash and two hit-and-runs reported during this break.
A decrease in theft was also noticeable in the collected data. Lalonde said the department is trying to raise community awareness when it comes to the security of personal items.
“A lot of times, the majority of thefts that we have on campus are crimes of opportunity,” Lalonde said. “Most of the time it’s situations where items are left unattended or unsecured. I think we’ve made stronger efforts to reach out to faculty and students and emphasize to them the importance of taking that extra time to secure items, doors and windows — things of that nature.”
Lalonde said LSUPD is constantly discussing new programs and ideas to decrease the total number of incidents that may occur during the coming school year.
“We’re always looking for additional opportunities that can not only deter incidents, but also further reduce incidents on campus,” Lalonde said.