OCC campus crime drops dramatically

June Casagrande

A dramatic drop in burglary and petty theft at Orange Coast

College fueled a 32% decrease in overall crime on campus this year,

officials announced Friday.

College officials credit the drop from 173 total crimes last year

to 117 this year to stepped-up security patrols.

“It’s not easy to break into a car in our parking lot because we

have a security presence there virtually all the time,” said Jim

Carnett, a spokesman for the college.

Over the last 10 years, the school has been gradually increasing

security; full-time, part-time and student assistants on the security

staff on campus now total 70.

Violent crimes on campus remained virtually nonexistent last year.

Just like every year since 1997, no murders or rapes were reported.

There was one sexual assault in the past year, none in the previous

year and two each for the two previous years.

Robbery was down from last year, with one case reported in the

2001-02 school year compared with three in 2000-01 and two in

1999-00.

Vehicle thefts also fell substantially, from 15 in 2000-01 to 10

this year.

One hate crime was reported this year, compared with none in the

four previous years.

Burglaries were down considerably, from 44 in 2000-01 to 16 in the

most recent school year. Petty theft was also way down at 33

incidents compared with 54 in the previous year.

The college has security guards but does not have its own police

force or any sworn officers.

The campus falls under the jurisdiction of the Costa Mesa Police

Department, and campus officers work closely with Costa Mesa police,

Carnett said.

“Fortunately, though, in most situations, the Police Department

isn’t really needed,” he noted.

Campus officials also said students feel safer on campus. As

evidence, they pointed out that in the 2000-01 year, 1,555 students

took advantage of the school’s 24-hour campus escorts. In 2001-02,

that number fell to 498.

“I think it’s very important for students and their families to

know that those students are safe on our campus,” Carnett said.