The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which reports trends and incidences of crime on campus, has been released for 2009. 

The Clery report contains “information about crime on or near respective campuses,” says Federal Statute 20 U.S.C. 1092(f.).

These crimes include everything ranging from homicide, to sexual offenses to drug violations to parking violations.
The report is federally mandated for, “all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs,” says the statute.

Carol Quiring, administrative lieutenant of Campus Safety and Police, compiles the annual report. “The Clery Reort is useful to compare different institutions that you’re considering attending,” says Quiring. 

By becoming aware of the types and frequency of crimes around campus, students can obtain powerful knowledge about their surrounds, according to Quiring. 

“Use it to take precaution and make goods choices to protect yourself…,” says Quiring.

The stats

Of the crimes reported in the 2006-08 Three Year Crime Statistics section of the report, there were 14 burglary and robbery incidents and one incidence of aggravated assault across all six YC campuses. In addition there were 46 drug and 139 alcohol arrests. 

According to Quiring, stolen objects range from laptops, chips and candy out of vending machines, personal property such as clothing and even school property such as projectors.   

Quiring suggests that the best solution is self protection. “We facilitate programs which advocate locking doors and being aware of your surroundings,” says Quiring. 

A trend present in the report is the steady decrease in alcohol violations and a marked increase in drug violations between 2006-2008.  Drug arrests on campus went from 3 in 2006 to 24 in 2008, whereas alcohol arrests dropped from 66 in 2006 to 34 in 2008. 

Instances of drugs discovered in the dorm rooms in 2008 include marijuana and heroine, according to Quiring.

“Yavapai College is a micro-cosm of the area. Drug issues have increased in the past year across the state,” says Quiring. 

Zero tolerance

The numbers may also be skewed due to the college’s choice of disciplinary action, according to Quiring.

“Yavapai College doesn’t tolerate drug and alcohol use,” she says. All incidences of drug and alcohol use result in legal action, such as citation and often arrest, which is a personal choice of the college, according to Quiring. 

“Some institutions make the choice to handle the discipline internally…we have zero tolerance.”       

Quiring also explains that drug arrests spread further, involving those who sold and used the drug, while alcohol arrests are simply those who are consuming alcohol when the Campus Police arrive.   

Consequences are not only legal for drug and alcohol, but can result in removal from the dorms.

 

Comparatively, Yavapai’s incidence numbers are low. Examining the numbers to other comparable colleges, such and Eastern Arizona College (EAC) and Central Arizona College (CAC) which both have residence dorms, Yavapai’s instances of burglaries are less than a quarter of EAC’s and a third of CAC’s. 

“These stricter polices account for the  increase in drug violations, according to Quiring.”

While Yavapai’s incidences of drug and alcohol arrests are much higher than CAC’s and on par with EAC’s, Quiring believes it is due to stricter policies.  These stricter polices account for the  increase in drug violations, according to Quiring. 

Overall, Yavapai College is a safe school, according to both Quiring and the statistics in the Clery Report.

“Named for Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old Leigh University freshman who was raped and murdered in her campus residence hall,” the report hopes to promote awareness and knowledge, says the Clery Act.

“Knowing what goes on on-campus is very important,” says Quiring. 

Yavapai offers security and protection in the form of a 24-hour Police Department which employs State Certified Police Officers on the Prescott campus. These officers can be contacted at any blue light phone located in nine areas throughout campus, or at 776-2185 from a cell phone for the Prescott campus, 634-6599 for the Verde campus. 

The Clery Report is available on the Yavapai College Police website, or in hard copy at the Yavapai College Police Department.