"Safety is in the hands of the individual," said Chief of Campus Police John Carter. "People need to lock their doors and take action against crime. Community has been the most effective way of keeping our numbers so low."
Drug and liquor disciplinary referrals rose substantially from 1999. In 2000, there were 80 liquor law violations and eight drug abuse violations, compared to 57 and four, respectively, the year before. Sixty-nine of the 80 liquor violations took place in residence halls.
However, the statistics show that there have been no arrests for liquor or drug law violations or for weapons possessions.
"It's probably not that the amount of illegal drinking and drug use was higher, but rather that the Campus Police just happened in on more situations where these things were occurring," said Carter. "In fact, many of these statistics are directly impacted by our officers."
President Tom Gerety did not attribute the rise in drug and liquor referrals to any systemic change within Campus Police.
"As far as I know there has been no shift in policy," Gerety said.
Carter said that he believed most crimes were reported to Campus Police.
"Students here seem to be very good at reporting all kinds of problems, but especially sex offenses," Carter said.
Campus Police is working to improve lighting in the parking lots, according to Carter, and additional callboxes are being installed in locations that lack them.
Amherst's crime statistics are quite similar to those on campuses of similar size and location, according to Carter.
"Our numbers are similar, and in some cases lower, than those of other schools," Carter said.