Safety is a prime concern for both pre-collegiettes and their families, as it should be. Going off to a school away from home is scary enough. Thinking about what can happen without the protection and familiarity of your hometown simply adds to the fear.
Business Insider recently published its list of the most dangerous colleges in America based on FBI crime data submitted by colleges across the country. We decided to break down the top ten most dangerous schools on the list. Note that the FBI crime data includes crimes both on campus and in the surrounding area.
1. University of California – Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA
According to the FBI’s findings, crime declined in 2011, but UCLA still managed to top the list. It reported 49 violent crimes – murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – per year and 921 property crimes per year for the 38,000-student population. Crimes at and surrounding UCLA include 12 rapes, 11 robberies, 195 burglaries and 18 motor vehicles per year.
“I don’t ever feel unsafe on campus,” said John Li, a freshman at UCLA. “The campus is next to many wealthy neighborhoods and I feel like crimes rarely occur.”
The university responded to the list by issuing a statement saying that safety is, indeed, top priority. UCLA’s police officers report both on and off campus, which helps students feel safe, said the statement. Li said the school provides an escort service, van service and texting system to help students.
Violent crimes: 49
Property crimes: 921
Student body population: 38,000
2. University of California – Berkeley in Berkeley, CA
Right behind UCLA was another UC campus – UC Berkeley. Violent crimes around the area dropped to 32 incidents in 2011, but the number of property crimes increased to a total of 1,011 per year. There are 35,833 students at UC Berkeley.
When asked if he ever felt unsafe, Andrew Cho, a freshman at Berkeley, answered, “On campus? No. On campus at night? Sometimes. Off campus at night? You should be.”
“It’s not unusual to hear gunshots at night while trying to sleep or sirens from cop cars or fire trucks throughout the day,” said Cho, who receives warnings and notices from the school on dorm bulletin boards. He said UC Berkeley puts its students’ safety first with systems like BearWalk, a system that students can use to get from one location to the next through transportation provided by the school.
“I have not witnessed crime personally, but I would still consider Berkeley to be a dangerous school among others,” agreed Cho.
Violent crimes: 32
Property crimes: 1,011
Student body population: 35,833
3. Duke University in Durham, NC
Situated in North Carolina with 15,016 students, Duke University was ranked as the third most dangerous university based off of its FBI crime data. In the last year, there were only nine violent crimes and 650 property crimes. Typically, there are 15 violent incidents per year and an even larger 753 number of property crimes per year.
“Overall, I love Duke and I feel secure here. However, I do believe in being street smart when wandering beyond the boundaries of campus,” said Sherry Zhang, a freshman at Duke University.
Duke has its own police department, DUPD, on campus and a blue light system set up for emergencies. Due to recent robberies, DUPD offers students free engravings on their possessions.
Violent crimes: 15
Property crimes: 753
Student body population: 15,016
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4. Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL
Business Insider said that the 11 burglaries, 220 larcenies, 12 motor vehicle thefts and one arson was a relatively good year for Florida A&M. With a population of 13,284 students, there are usually 15 violent crimes counted per year and a grand total of 292 property crimes per year.
“As any other public university, there are local and campus dangers that happen every once in a while, but the police on and off campus have always taken care of that,” said Itopia Mills, a Florida A&M student.
Students can receive text or email alerts from the school’s Department of Public Safety, creating a secure environment.
“I believe that there is always more that could be done, but the Department of Public Safety is working daily to assist students in every way possible with safety on campus,” said Mills.
Violent crimes: 15
Property crimes: 292
Student body population: 13,284
5. Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
For a population of 12,714 students, Vanderbilt University witnessed a high number of 535 larcenies in the past year. In addition to the larcenies, there were other property crimes on campus and in the surrounding area. Vanderbilt also deals with around 11 violent crimes per year.
“I’m a sophomore here and I’ve never once felt unsafe,” said Stacey Oswald. “Last year, I used to go on lots of night runs, which my parents were not fond of, but I always felt safe and was never once put into any danger.”
Vanderbilt also provides e-mails for students to keep them in the loop and aware of daily crimes.
Violent crimes: 11
Property crimes: 555
Student body population: 12,714
6. San Diego State University in San Diego, CA
Based off of the averaged FBI crime data, San Diego State University came in sixth with a student population of 29,187. Taking into account all the different forms of violent crimes, there was an average of 27 violent crimes per year. However, there were 575 property crimes per year.
Business Insider noticed a decrease in violent crimes throughout the last year. There were reports of five rapes, three robberies and five aggravated assaults.
Violent crimes: 27
Property crimes: 575
Student body population: 29,187
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7. University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
University of New Mexico currently has 28,688 students and suffers 24 violent crimes per year and 659 property crimes per year. In the last year, there were two rapes, four robberies and 30 aggravated assaults.
The university offers its students safety and risk services to keep students protected and healthy. Its Department of Safety and Risk Services provides a variety of opportunities for students to learn more about security, chemical safety, defensive driving, and fire safety.
Violent crimes: 24
Property crimes: 659
Student body population: 28,688
8. University of South Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL
A slightly smaller school than others seen on this list, University of South Alabama has a population of 14,776 students. For that many students, they witnessed 14 violent crimes and 238 property crimes per year.
The university itself reported a murder and two rapes within the last year. Those were only three reports among other violent crime incidents that occurred on campus directly. American School Search even went on to give the public school a grade “D” on its safety after an analysis of crime data.
Violent crimes: 14
Property crimes: 238
Student body population: 14,776
9. Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge is home to 29,451 students, 26 violent crime incidents per year, and 474 property crime incidents per year. Property crimes include, but are not limited to burglaries, larcenies, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In addition to other reported crimes, Louisiana State and its surrounding area suffered from 22 robberies throughout 2011.
LSU Police Department’s website reads, “In the event of a crisis situation, LSU will communicate vital information as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to provide the greatest safety for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.” They accept anonymous tips while providing crime alerts.
Violent crimes: 26
Property crimes: 474
Student body population: 29,451
10. Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA
For a population of 20,720 students, Georgia Tech sees a high number of both violent and property crimes. Typically, there are 15 violent crimes and 592 property crimes in one year. However, Business Insider labeled 2011 as a “particularly violent year.” There were four rapes, 11 robberies and five aggravated assaults per eyar.
Georgia Tech Police Department offers a variety of services like crime prevention classes and property registration. Recently, they started offering Jacket Guardian, which “transforms mobile phones into personal safety devices,” according to the police department. Jacket Guardian, a free iPhone app, can send direct emergency calls to the GTPD.
Violent crimes: 15
Property crimes: 592
Student body population: 20,720
No school is perfectly safe. These were Business Insider’s most dangerous colleges after looking at FBI data.
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Photo Credits:
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/phototours/ss/ucla-photo-tour_9.htm
http://polisci.duke.edu/
http://www.ussportscamps.com/swim/nike/nike-swim-camp-at-san-diego-state-university/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60933-d144326-Reviews-University_of_New_Mexico-Albuquerque_New_Mexico.html
http://www.gaentmag.com/production-news-georgia-tech-to-be-featured-in-new-vince-vaughn-movie-the-internship/