FBI Statistics on Violent Campus Crimes in 2008: Georgia Tech on Top
Police at Georgia Tech were busier than others in 2008, responding to robberies, assaults and rapes. In fact, Georgia Tech police reported more violent crimes last year than any other of the 19 campus police departments in Georgia.
- According to FBI statistics, out of the 19 colleges and university police departments who reported their numbers to the agency, Georgia Tech police reported the highest numbers of violent crimes, 21 in all. Twelve of these were robberies and eight were aggravated assaults. Georgia Tech was the scene of one forcible rape in 2008.
- Number two on the list was Clark Atlanta University, which reported 19 violent crimes. Of these, 18 were robberies, and as with Georgia Tech, there was one forcible rape at Clark Atlanta last year.
- Georgia State University ranked number three on the list, with 16 violent crimes, of which nine were robberies, six were aggravated assaults and one was forcible rape.
Those numbers have increased since 2007. That year, Georgia State reported 16 violent crimes to the FBI, while Georgia Tech and Clark Atlanta University reported 15 crimes each.
As a Georgia premises liability lawyer, I am concerned at this increase in the number of violent crimes on our college campuses. When parents send their children to universities and colleges to further their education, they shouldn’t have to worry about the security of their kids.
The National Crime Prevention Council offers the following steps for students to prevent assaults and rapes on campus.
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- An impaired person is easier to overpower. Avoid excessive drinking on campus.
- Lock doors and windows, even if you are going out for just a few minutes.
- Don’t lend your keys to others, and avoid having your name and address on the key ring.
- Never open the door before you know who is on the other side.
- Avoid empty, isolated spots as much as possible.
- Stay in well illuminated, busy areas, where crimes are less likely to occur.
