The total number of crimes in the Penn Patrol Zone in March 2009 decreased 32 percent from the total in the same month last year, dropping from 78 to 53.
The total number of crimes in the year 2009 is down 25 percent from this point in time last year, from 212 to 159.
The number of crimes against property - the most common type of crime on Penn's campus - dropped significantly this month, decreasing 36 percent from 70 to 45.
"It's just a lot of hard work on the part of everyone," Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said. "We're reminding people to protect their property."
Thefts from buildings decreased from 31 to 12, a 61-percent decrease.
A significant number of victims of thefts from buildings are staff members, Penn Police Capt. Joseph Fischer said.
"The crimes at the buildings are down because the staff have taken ownership and responsibility," he added.
Rush said people should be careful of purse snatchers in public places.
"When you're in a public place, a restaurant in particular," she said, "what you never want to do is put your purse or pocketbook behind your chair."
The number of violent crimes remained steady this month at eight.
Rush recommended using walking and riding escorts at night. She said there had been a 7-percent increase in walking escorts in February.
"You can replace items, but people are priceless," she said.
A summary of crime statistics for the month of March:
No homicides were reported this year or last year.
Total robberies increased from one last year to three this year.
Forcible sex offenses increased from zero in 2008 to two in 2009.
Aggravated assaults increased from one in 2008 to two in 2009.
Simple assaults decreased from five last year to one this year.
Burglaries decreased from 12 in 2008 to one in 2009.
No arsons were reported in 2008 or 2009.
Auto thefts remained constant at one each last year and this year.
Thefts from cars rose from two in 2008 to six in 2009.
Bike thefts decreased from six last year to two this year.
All other thefts decreased from 50 last year to 35 this year.
Related StoriesThefts, overall crime decrease in 2009 | Interactive graph - NewsTheft up by more than 150 percent - NewsCrime down 6% for March, up 1% for year - News
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