A new crime map is available on the CU Police Department Web site, according to Molly Bosley, CU Police Department spokeswoman.
The map is a compilation of reported crimes that have occurred on campus, with options to view personalized maps that highlight selected crimes.
Bosley said the map may be confusing because it tracks all reported crimes, regardless of whether or not the cases are actually charged or if the perpetrators are proven guilty.
The good news, she said, is that reports of rapes and violent crimes in Boulder have been decreasing in frequency.
“There were seven rapes in 2008, and though 2009 figures have yet to be approved, it is only showing four rape cases on CU campus,” Bosley said.
Though he is unfamiliar with the UCPD crime map, Colin Stingley, a 22 year-old senior international affairs major, said he thinks it would be helpful if students knew about it. Stingley said, however, he always feels safe on campus.
“I never feel unsafe because I am a giant man,” Stingley said. “CU and Boulder in general do a good job with keeping students safe.”
Gabriel Habermehl, a 21 year-old junior MCD biology major, said he did not know the map existed, though he has never felt unsafe on campus or in Boulder.
“I have never felt safer because I knew the CU police have a presence,” Habermehl said.
With regards to the confusion concerning the map, Bosley said the UCPD might need to look at how they are presenting the information, and may need to determine a better system for presenting the information.
She said CU and Boulder police are seeing the rewards of their efforts to prevent violent crimes.
“The most reported crime on campus is bike theft,” Bosley said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jessica Freeman at Jessica.freeman@colorado.edu.
