Recently released UNM crime statistics for 2010 report a decrease in liquor law violations and burglary, but UNM isn’t required to report DWIs or larceny cases.
The statistics are required by law to be released every year under the Jeanne Clery Act, but revisions to the act say certain crimes don’t have to be reported, UNM Police Department spokesman Lt. Robert Haarhues said.
“There are only certain offenses that you’re required to report on,” he said. “Stuff like DWI arrests, those aren’t reported, and larcenies aren’t reported.”
The 2010 statistics reported 33 instances of burglary, compared to 50 in 2009.
After 2009, the Clery Act’s definition of a reported burglary changed. A burglary now must meet three requirements to be reported: There must be evidence of unlawful entry, the unlawful entry must be of a structure with four walls, a roof and a door and there must be evidence the entry was made with the purpose of committing a felony or theft, according to the act.
UNM spokeswoman Karen Wentworth said until 2008, UNM also included DWI statistics in the annual reports.
“At first we reported DWI stats because the issue was so important on a state level,” Wentworth said. “However it was not as important on a federal level and a revision of the Clery Act guidelines made it clear that they were not interested in DWI statistics.”
The 2010 statistics reported 105 liquor law violations referred for disciplinary action down from 202 in 2009.
Haarhues said the decrease in alcohol violations could be attributed to more stringent policies in the dorms.
“What they do is they have a zero-tolerance policy,” he said.
“When students come into dorms, they told them what to expect and cracked down immediately.”
Interim director of Residence Life and Student Housing Brian Ward said increased staffing keeps students safe.
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“A lot of what was changed in the residence halls is based on new staffing structure,” Ward said.
“We’ve hired new staff who live in res halls and oversee programming, alcohol education and community living standards and greatly improves the community living, and results in decreased incidents of problem behavior.”
