Psych study looks at campus crime

---

Corporal David Jensen warns freshman basketball player Travis DeManby to keep his backpack secured in a locker during practice.

by Mary Lisa Russell

Lecturer Davin Youngclarke may have charted new ground with his psychology class project -- tracking crime at Fresno State by location, times, shifts and even specific "hot" areas.

"The research originated as a class project," said Youngclarke. "The students really thought crime was bad on campus and they were suprised by two things: the relative safety of the campus and that the crimes were not what they expected."

The crime study began in Youngclarke's Research Methods class last September as an in-class exercise intended to introduce his undergraduates to content analysis. "We decided to collect data about campus crime for the 1998-99 academic year," he said.

However, once they finished the two-semester project, the students were surprised. "Fresno State is protected well by the campus police force," said Youngclarke. "The results are nothing like we ever expected."

Youngclarke's pending report to President John Welty indicates that Lots C, D, G, and Q are the most active parking lots for incidents. Only 9.2 percent of the calls for service involved crimes against people, which surprised the crime statisticians.

The crime study indicated that the locations generating the most calls for service were the North Gym and Madden Library.

Forty-eight percent of police responses were to campus buildings and the surrounding grounds. Other locations with a high volume of police responses were the Education Building, Homan Hall, Peters Business Building, Baker Hall and the University Student Union. Bulldog Stadium is the single most active location for incidents at the university.

September, when students, faculty and staff return to campus, is the highest month for service calls. "Crime follows people," says Youngclarke.

Youngclarke's project will help university police officers by providing specific information about frequencies and locations of incidents on campus. "This crime study can help us focus on target areas," said Lynn Button, chief of police at Fresno State, who met with Youngclarke earlier this year.

Button said that law enforcement has been conducting crime analysis for years and that he is very much in favor of the campus working together and sharing resources. Youngclarke's project allows the University Police Department to use crime analysis data to develop strategies that impact problem areas.

It also may help dispel other myths about crimes on campus. "Now we know that most crimes are misdemeanors and involve property and vehicular citations. With awareness education, a good number of them are highly preventable," he said.

Button agreed with Youngclarke. "Most of the crimes on campus could be deterred if people were more careful with their personal items like wallets, purses and backpacks."

Welty believes the crime study is helpful for the university community and commended Youngclarke and his students for their ingenuity. "This study demonstrates the unique teaching methods used by one of our faculty," said Welty.

This crime study is ongoing and will continue to be a collaboration of Youngclarke's research team in the Psychology Department and the University Police Department.