City crime numbers higher than average

This is the first part of a five-part series on crime in Oakland and on campus. Read The… This is the first part of a five-part series on crime in Oakland and on campus. Read The Pitt News all this week for more crime coverage.

While a student at Pitt may feel insulated in his pie-shaped room in the Litchfield Towers, the city of Pittsburgh’s crime statistics for 2005 were almost double the national average.

Robberies, alcohol violations, sex offenses and assaults, drug violations and property offenses such as burglary and vandalism all contribute to crime statistics in the city and at Pitt.

When comparing the area to the rest of Allegheny County, all 2005 statistics seem similar, although the University’s jurisdiction contributed less than 1 percent of total crimes in Allegheny County last year.

However, property offenses in and around Pitt are about 20 percent higher in comparison and make up almost 85 percent of the crime in the area, as listed in Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reports.

Theft is one of the most prominent and most often under-reported crimes, according to Pitt Police Chief Tim Delaney and Community Relations Officer Ron Bennett.

But students rarely commit this crime, and the high percentages can mostly be attributed to non-affiliates — people who don’t attend the University.

“A lot of people we deal with are usually passing through here, coming here to prey on students who are somewhat naive,” Bennett said, “Or to roam through buildings that they’re not familiar with to see if they can have a crime of opportunity to steal something.”

Julie Merante, co-owner of Groceria Merante on the corner of Bates Street and McKee Place, said in 28 years of running a South Oakland business, she’s never been robbed.

And, in response to robberies that do occur in Oakland, “It’s not the Pitt students,” she added.

While students tend not to commit major crimes, they do violate liquor laws. Last year, 5.1 percent of crimes in Pitt’s jurisdiction were alcohol crimes. And this number has steadily declined in recent years.

“Maybe 50 percent of the parties here five to 10 years ago have moved off [campus],” Delaney said. Only 177 liquor law violations led to arrests last year, in addition to 516 campus disciplinary referrals.

One crime that has seen a decrease recently is sexual assault.

While the number of assaults has greatly decreased over the past five years at Pitt, these crimes still pose a threat to students. Eight forcible sex offenses occurred last year, according to the campus crime statistics report.

Sexual assault, including date rape, is one of the crimes that Pitt affiliates most often become involved in, Delaney said. And incidents often go unreported, he added.

While female students in particular may feel most vulnerable to this type of crime, senior Sarah Shoop said being mugged is also a fear.

“At night, by yourself, when drunk, or when you’re not paying attention or being stupid” are the times when students are most susceptible to assault, according to Shoop.

In Pittsburgh, violent crimes such as rape, assault and robbery occur almost three times more than the national average, with 1,119 incidents per every 100,000 people.

In spite of these statistics, students in Oakland feel relatively safe.

“I think I stay out of most people’s business and not upset anybody,” sophomore Vince Sparacino said. “I feel very safe.”

And while some students may not agree with Sparacino, there are ways in which students can protect themselves.

“I have a dog to stay safe, and my boyfriend got me pepper spray to carry,” Shoop said.

The University’s safety brochure for fall 2006 suggests walking in groups, staying in well-lit areas, knowing the locations of campus emergency phones, locking apartment and dorm and car doors, and not trusting strangers.

“Be responsible,” Bennett said. “It’s as safe as the student allows it to be.”