According to a police report, crimes in the central district of Madison, which encompasses the campus area, increased significantly in the past three years.
From Aug.15 through Oct. 1 of each year, sexual assaults have increased from eight in 2001 to 13 in 2004, sexual assault and robbery rose from eight cases in 2002 and 2003 to 13 cases this year and aggravated battery jumped from 18 incidents in 2003 to 25 in 2004.
Mary Schauf, the patrol services Lieutenant of Police for the central district of the Madison Police Department, said most of the cases occurred late at night and often included alcohol as a factor, but that the police department hired a problem analyst to try to find the source of the problem. However, she noted house parties are a growing concern among police officers.
\One of the concerns this year [is] violence at house parties and that's been particularly disturbing because I think there's a reluctance to call police when there's a house party situation,"" Schauf said. ""We've had one case where there's been a theft, then a fight and then later on a car leaves and shots are fired. We've had another one where people tried to crash a party and when they're not able to, they hit a guy in the face with a cricket bat and he has a significant head injury.""
A police officer for the MPD, Emily Samson, said the problem might not be rooted in higher instances of crime, but in a greater number of victims reporting the assaults.
""There's lots of reasons for why crimes have gone up, one of them and probably the best indicator is that more people are reporting,"" Samson said. ""Sexual assault for one case. I think as time passes we become more and more progressive. I think women have become more educated and empowered and realize this assault wasn't their fault and are less intimidated about reporting [them].""
Lori Berquam, UW-Madison associate dean of students, said simple precautions such as locking doors and following university-recommended safety precautions can also help decrease the amount of crime near campus, but remarked that helping out friends and strangers is the most important way to avoid victimization.
""I think violence is increasing across the United States and why should Madison be any different?"" Berquam said. ""I think as a culture we really need to think about doing more of making sure we're taking care of each other, and helping each other, and coming to each other's rescue when we need support.""
