UNM Security

1.Introduction

In this report we will be addressing the increasing crime rate on UNM

campus/outskirts of the campus and UNM’s ineffectual security procedures. This report
will describe current campus crime statistics and trends, possible methods for reduction
of crime, and offer recommendations based on these findings.

2. Method
​During our research, we looked for statistics related to crimes on campus: how many
occur, which occur most frequently, as well as looking for any trends, such as whether
crimes per year are increasing or decreasing. We also looked for data related to how
the addition of new equipment like cameras or fences would impact these crimes, and
the costs of installation.

Step by step:

1. We first decided to search for statistics that showed the crime rate on campus
and the outskirts of campus.
2. We analyzed and compared the Annual Clery Reports from 2013, 2014, 2015,
2016, and 2017.
3. We then searched for the crime map of the area to have a more visual idea of the
crime situation by filtering the main crimes committed: arson, assault, burgary,
DUI, homicide, Motor vehicle Theft, robbery, sex crime, larceny, and weapons.
4. After we concluded that motor vehicle theft had the highest rate, we searched for
a map of motor vehicle theft on College Campuses by state and found out that
NM is the second highest in the country.
5. We then did research about UNM’s current security situation: cameras system,
security guards, and police officers and found articles about UNM’s plan on
improving safety measures in the next six years.
6. Once we collected enough data, we came up with two solutions: increase the
number of cameras and build a fence around campus.
7. After we decided our solutions, we looked at how each solution would decrease
crime and make UNM’s campus more safe
3. Results, Evidence, and Illustration
​We found that the most common crime was motor vehicle theft, which accounts for
an average of 40% of the crimes on campus. Campus crime is increasing at an average
rate of 35% per year. We also found that installation of cameras potentially reduces
crime in parking lots by 50%. Assuming for simplicity that the 50% reduction of crime in
parking lots will apply only to motor vehicle theft, total crime on campus would be
reduced by as much as 26% or more if the trend of increasing motor vehicle theft
continues.

Year Highest Incident Crime # Incidents % of total crime Est. # after install of cams
2017 Motor Vehicle Theft 211 53.1 106
2016 Motor Vehicle Theft 173 54.6 87
2015 Motor Vehicle Theft 86 35.5 43
2014 Motor Vehicle Theft 32 22.7 16
2013 Motor Vehicle Theft 41 33.1 21
avg 39.8

Fences are another option we discovered. Securing the perimeter of the campus
with fences would allow for better crowd control. Fences could be used to limit the
number of entrances to the campus, which could be better monitored so that
undesirable individuals don’t make their way onto campus undetected. The ability of
fences to block off an area is especially useful on our campus, since it is situated in a
high crime area.
 We have also found that UNM officials are aware of these issues and are in the
process of getting funds to improve security. UNM has set aside $500,000 a year for
security upgrades around campus and according to Irwin “the school is requesting $3
million dollars from the legislature for 235 cameras at the surface parking lots around
campus”. The upgrades should be done by the summer. It is unclear if UNM has started
or if they have the proper funds.

4. Graphs and tables

Compiled crimes from CLERY Reports:

Crime/Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 TOTAL

Liquor Law Arrest 6 1 0 2 16 25
Illegal Weapons
Arrest 0 0 3 3 1 7
Drug Arrest 15 9 7 8 8 47
Rape 10 12 12 15 18 67
Fondling 0 7 15 10 12 44
Dating Violence 4 1 5 23 27 60
Domestic
Violence 12 15 21 11 5 64
Stalking 5 28 23 25 34 115
Robbery 0 5 5 5 7 22
Burglary 24 15 49 28 39 155
Motor Vehicle
Theft 41 32 86 173 211 543
Aggravated
Assault 6 15 14 12 15 62
Arson 1 1 2 2 4 10
TOTAL 124 141 242 317 397 1221
Graph showing the increase of total crime from 2013 to 2017. In four years crime almost
quadrupled.

5. Discussion
To address the problem of security and crime, it is most helpful to know what
crimes happen most frequently so that big issues can be addressed first. From the
information we have gathered we discovered the three biggest problems we face on our
campus are auto theft, burglary and stalking. We found that New Mexico has the
second highest motor vehicle theft nationwide on college campuses. These problems
are occurring in the parking lot and on the outskirts of our campus, for example on
Central.
 Since motor vehicle theft is the most prevalent campus crime, it would be most
effective to address this first if the goal is to reduce the overall crime rate. This can be
done most effectively via the installation of an array of video cameras around the
various open air parking lots on campus. It is proven that security cameras are the most
effective way to reduce crime. One other solution we came up with is to fence off part of
UNM so that security can better crowd control. This way people stay in the secure areas
of the campus and security officers have a lot less area to cover. These solutions help
lower crime and increase security on our campus, the only obstacle is securing funding.

6. Conclusion
Based on our research, we conclude that the implementation of an array of
cameras in UNM’s most high crime activity parking lots is the most effective course of
action. Fences are not a great option because fencing off the entire perimeter of the
campus is expensive, and would harm the campus’ desire to be an open, public space.
Placing the cameras in the parking lots will have the greatest impact on the most
common crime as well as on total crime, and placing them in just the parking lots to start
is much cheaper than putting them all over campus. By focusing their attention on a
single solution, the University can make better use of the funds they have and the
additional funds they are in the process of securing.
SOURCES:

(No author given). UNM 2018 Annual Clery Report. UNM Main Campus. Published October 1st,
2018. Pdf file. Retrieved from: ​police.unm.edu/html/2018_Annual_Safety_Report.pdf

(No author given). UNM 2017 Annual Clery Report. UNM Main Campus. Published October 1st,
2017. Pdf file. Retrieved from:
police.unm.edu/files/DDF/2017%20Annual%20Report%20W%20Cover%20and%20Back%20(C
orrected).pdf

(No author given). UNM 2016 Annual Clery Report. UNM Main Campus. Published October 1st,
2016. Pdf file. Retrieved from: police.unm.edu/files/DDF/2016CleryReport.pdf

UNM pouring millions into security.(2018, November 16). KRQE News Article. Retrieved from:
https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/unm-pouring-millions-into-campus-security/1600
406430

How safe is UNM Main Campus?. (2017). College Factual Report. Retrieved from:
https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-new-mexico-main-campus/student-life/cri
me/

Campus Safety and Security Data Report Url:

https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/compare/details

The effect of CCTV on public safety: Research Roundup. (2014, February 11). Journalist’s
Resource. Retrieved from:
https://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/criminal-justice/surveillance-cameras-and-cri
me

Lawmakers give UNM $125K to beef up security measures. (2018, April 24). Albuquerque
Journal. Retrieved from:
https://www.abqjournal.com/1163002/unm-to-get-new-lights-security-cameras.html

11 Component of a Secure School Front Entrance. (2013, October 23). Campus Safety.
Retrieved from:
https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/safety/11-components-of-a-secure-school-front-entran
ce/

Campus Crime-Which colleges have the most burglaries?. (2019). Get Safe. Retrieved from:
https://getsafe.com/thieves-on-campus/
CONTRIBUTORS:
Xavier Jones
Alessia Pellegrino
Adrian Madera
Dylan Dickson