UTM experienced a slight uptick in larceny and theft offenses over 2004, even though the 2005 Crime on Campus report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports continued low rates of other offenses.

The report, released last Thursday, shows 2005 campus crime information for every private and public higher education institution in Tennessee.

The most significant jump came in the total incidences of larceny and theft, where UTM experienced a 33 percent increase from 2004. Public Safety reported 44 incidents of larceny and theft in 2005, up from 33 the previous year. However, the three-year trend shows a lower larceny or theft rate; 2003 saw 73 incidences. Based on enrollment figures submitted by Public Safety, about six students out of 1,000 were affected by larceny or theft last year.

Of those thefts, most were made from buildings.

Last year, UTM crime statistics generally held steady from 2004, although drug and narcotic violations increased along with burglary and larceny. Public Safety reported 46 incidents of liquor law violations both years. Assault reports decreased from 13 to 12 incidences in 2005.

2005 saw five more incidences of drug and narcotic violations above 2004, a 46 percent increase. UTM reported 16 drug violations last year. Two years ago, UTM only reported four incidents; the three-year trend shows a three-fold increase in narcotic incidents. The third most prevalent crime reported by UTM last year was vandalism, with 36 incidents. Vandalism follows behind liquor law violations with 46 and larceny and theft with 44.

Statewide, larceny and theft is the most common offense on college campuses, although there was a 4 percent decrease in that category from 2004 to 2005.

There was one forcible sex offense reported last year, but none were reported in 2004.

Public Safety Director Richard Hatler doesn’t think Public Safety is solely to credit for continued low overall crime rates. Rather, Hatler attributes university recruiting to making a safe campus.

“It seems like the students coming here now are far more responsible and mature than students were six or seven years ago,” Hatler says.

Hatler also praises Student Affairs and hall directors for maintaining what he sees as an appropriate enforcement policy.

“It isn’t just about punishment,” he says. “It’s about encouraging what is right.”

Hatler points out Martin’s crime rate is lower than in other cities with similar institutions as UTM.

The most significant statewide change in 2005 was the increase of drug and narcotic offenses, which increased nearly 27 percent overall.

A total of 8,541 offenses were reported to the TBI in 2005, a decrease of 2.3 percent from the previous year.