The number of property and personal crimes has decreased at West Virginia University for the month of January.
The number of violent crimes dropped from five in January 2009 to three in January 2010, and the number of property crimes dropped from 25 in January 2009 to 19 in January 2010, according to the Clery Report Monthly Review released by the University Police Department.
University Police Chief Bob Roberts said crime rates at WVU tend to go through cycles.
"Typically colder weather will bring the crime rates down, because there's not as many people out and about," Roberts said.
In January 2010, there were two simple assaults and one sexual assault, according to the report.
There was also one burglary, seven cases of destruction of property and 11 thefts, according to the report.
Months such as August and September are busier because students are coming in, Roberts said.
"They're just getting oriented. They haven't gone through classes. They aren't as alert to keeping their property secured," Roberts said. "After the first semester, they've kind of got acclimated."
He added since the crime rates are so low at WVU, one instance can potentially change the statistics.
"I'd also like to think that some of it is the educational programming and the visibility of the officers," Roberts said. "We prefer to take a proactive approach and prevent crimes from happening than solving them."
Putting up crime maps and daily summaries as well as other information on its Web site is one way UPD is helping students, Roberts said.
UPD also offers a number of programs to educate and protect students at WVU, Roberts said.
One is Operation Lockout, where UPD officers go into the residence halls to check that students are locking doors.
If students are found with an unlocked door, the officers lock them and leave memos for the students.
UPD also offers training classes such as the Personal Response Options & Tactically Effective Counter Techniques self-defense classes for female students and a program to teach students the laws of the state.
If students find they have been victims of a property crime, they are to report it to UPD as soon as possible.
"The earlier we start a case, the more success we have. If you wait three or four days to report it, there is very little we can do," Roberts said.
"The key is to be vigilant and to be aware that crimes do occur and not to take risks and leave their books around or their computers on tables or their doors unlocked."
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