Department of Public Safety

The Medical University

of South Carolina

Annual Crime Analysis

Office of the Deputy Chief

Introduction

The purpose of the analysis of crime trends on the university campus is to provide current and useful information of criminal activity to all operational components within the department. Operational and administrative personnel use this information to allocate personnel and to develop strategies for the reduction of crime.

On 25 January 2003, at the direction of the Chief of the Department of Public Safety and in accordance with Policy and Procedure #34 (Crime Analysis), #39 (Administrative Reporting Programs and Forms Accountability), and CALEA Standards 15.1.1 and 15.1.2; an annual analysis of crime against the Department was conducted by the Office of the Deputy Chief for the year 2002.

The crime analysis is conducted as follows:

1. Responsibility and Authority

Crime Analysis is a function of the Office of the Deputy Chief of the Department of Public Safety.

2. Analysis / Source Documents

a. Crime data should be gathered from all available sources, which may include, but not be limited to: (CALEA 15.1.1.a)

1) incident reports;

2) supplemental reports;

3) arrest and booking reports;

4) Field Interview/Traffic Stop cards;

5) information reports;

6) confidential information sources; and/or

7) officer observations.

b. To aid in the analysis of crime trends and information, the data will be entered into the Department’s Visions Management and Evaluation System. This computerized system will then summarize the trends by: (CALEA 15.1.1.b)

1) geographic area; (CALEA 15.1.1.c)

2) type of crime; and

3) crime dates and times. (CALEA 15.1.1.c)

c. In addition, the Crime Analyst will be responsible for defining the crime by victim or target preference, suspect and suspect vehicle description, modus operandi, and any physical evidence.

d. The analysis will include all the following available information: (CALEA 15.1.2)

1) similarities of offenses that may show patterns in the characteristics of current crime problems;

2) frequency by type crime; (CALEA 15.1.2.a)

3) geographic factors; (CALEA 15.1.2.b)

4) temporal factors; (CALEA 15.1.2.c)

5) victim and target descriptors; (CALEA 15.1.2.d)

6) suspect and vehicle descriptors; (CALEA 15.1.2.e and f)

7) modus operandi; (CALEA 15.1.2.g)

8) any physical evidence information;

9) problem oriented or community policing strategies; and (CALEA 15.1.2.i)

10) comparison of incident characteristics with similar data on file and identification of patterns and trends will be included.

e. Included in the crime analysis report will be any actual or potential police hazards that officers may encounter on the street. (CALEA 15.1.1.c)

3. Information Distribution

a. The Crime Analyst will disseminate a report to administrative and operational components at least monthly. The Crime Analyst will also prepare a report for the Director. He/She will brief the Director on current crime patterns and trends. This briefing should be done at least monthly, and more often if necessary. (CALEA 15.1.1.d and .f)

b. Crime Analysis information will be distributed in accordance with Distribution List "E" (Policy and Procedure #39).

c. The crime analysis information is for law enforcement purposes only and should not be released to the media or public unless previously authorized by the Director, or his designee.

d. The Deputy Chief will request feedback from the effected units on the value of information provided by the Criminal Analysis and any suggestions for improvement. This feedback will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the crime analysis program. (CALEA 15.1.1.e)

Results of Review

1. Overall crime is up by 4% from the year 2001 to the year 2002.

2. Group A crime is down by 9% from the year 2001 to the year 2002.

3. Group B crime is up by 8% from the year 2001 to the year 2002.

4. Group C crime is up by 27% from the year 2001 to the year 2002.

5. Crimes with significant changes are reflected below:

A. Theft from Buildings, Increased 35% (261 to 197)%,

B. Theft from Coin-operated Machine, remained the same 0% (0 to 0),

C. Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Increased 34% (8 to 12),

D. Motor Vehicle Theft, Decreased 50% (2 to 1),

E. Drug/Narcotic Violations, Decreased 100% (6 to 0),

F. All Other Larcenies, Increased 40% (14 to 23),

G. Trespass of Real Property, Increased 23% (7 to 9).

H. Obscene and Harassing Phone Calls, Decreased 26% (31 to 23).

I. Disorderly Conduct, Decreased 34% (9 to 6), and

J. Drunkenness, Increased 75% (4 to 16).

6. Crime analysis performed on a monthly and incident basis provided data on frequency by type, geographic factors, temporal factors, suspect descriptors, modus operandi, and physical evidence, these factors lead to the identification and subsequent arrest of two suspects clearing 5 cases of larcenies. In addition to the arrests two suspects were identified clearing 2 cases which were handled administratively by the University.

7. No other unusual trends or decernable patterns were apparent.

8. Problem oriented or community policing strategies implemented during this time period were in direct response to crime analysis and community input. In coordination with the City of Charleston Police (CPD) Crime Prevention Office the following actions were taken: (CALEA 15.1.2.i)

a. A special patrol was established in January of 2002 to patrol the outer areas of the campus proper. This patrol was designed to deter individual with criminal intents from entering the campus. This action was in response to the increase in violent crime in and around our campus and was in coordination with CPD. This patrol was in act for approximately three months.

b. In June of 2002, in response to citizen concerns this department in acted a "Whistle Alert " program. This program makes our customers active participants in campus safety and security and affords a level of notification not previously available. Training and Whistles are provided as a part of this program.

c. In November of 2002, based on an increase in vehicle thefts and break-ins in and around our campus and concerns from citizens, plain clothes officers were placed in our exterior lots in unmarked units. The use of undercover officer ended in December 2002.

d. In December 2002, based on concerns from citizens, this department expanded its response area to three block in any direction from the campus. This action provides our customers with security escorts and assistance in areas previously covered by CPD.

e. The Department’s Crime Prevention Officer coordinates monthly, by phone or in person, with the CPD Crime Prevention Officer to keep up to date on current community concerns and CPD programs.

Recommendations:

1. The Department should continue to make use of the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and RMS (Records Management System) to perform crime analysis.