Crime down, car thefts up at OCC...

Crime down, car thefts up at OCC

Crime on Orange Coast College’s campus is the lowest it has been

in nine years, officials announced Tuesday. The college did, however,

see vehicle thefts skyrocket by 70% compared to last year.

The number of crimes decreased 5.1% during the 2002-03 academic

year, compared to the previous year. Most violent crimes, including

murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery or hate crimes, did not occur

at all, officials said.

Minor or verbal assaults were down 33%, and petty theft of

personal property dropped 18%. Burglary of personal property

increased 14%.

Officials attributed the decrease in violent crime to efficient

patrolling. They also noted that only 269 people used the campus’s

free escort service this year compared to 1,555 in 1997-98.