University of Virginia Library

Bowen: Increase In Coeds Result In Increased Assaults,
Claims Security Could Have Prevented 85 Per Cent

By ROBERT HUSBANDS

"Crime in general at the
University and in the
Charlottesville locale has
increased," commented
Charlottesville Police Chief
John DeK. Bowen in a special
interview with the Cavalier
Daily concerning crime trends
around the University.

The Chief is a relatively
young man, trim, and
personable. He impresses the
listener with his direct answers,
his knowledge and control of
the material which he
discusses. His unique
perspective gives insight into
some of the problems with
which both students and
citizens of Charlottesville have
to deal.

Most of the crimes that
concern University students are
of a misdemeanor nature, he
explained while the students
are often the victims of crimes
committed by people in the
Charlottesville community.
Robbery in fraternity houses
and apartments, and car theft
during big weekends or school
breaks serve as examples.

Increases On 'Just People'

"I think you can blame the
increase or reasons for the
increase in crime on just
people," he said, referring to
the substantial growth of the
University in recent years.

The Department's success
ratio for solving crimes is
generally in accordance with
national trends, although the
clearance figure for property
cases is not as high as the 71
per cent of cases cleared in
physically-committed crimes,
such as rape.

Much more energy and man
power are put into solving
crimes such as assault and rape
and attempted rape,
accounting for the higher
success figures. The problem of
solution with property thefts is
more difficult because there is
often no physical evidence
from which to get a lead, such
as fingerprints, an MO or
witnesses.

In assault cases or
attempted assault cases
approximately 90 per cent
have been non-force entry
entry into a dwelling through
an open door or window. "I
think I figured out some 85 per
cent of them could have been
prevented with a little bit of
security," he said.

This year there has been an
increase in the number of
assaults. One reason given as an
explanation of this was the
increase in the coed population
at the University. "The girls
tend to settle in one area and
this makes them vulnerable,"
he said. Easy accessibility to
houses and areas not well lit
were mentioned as factors
which give more opportunity
for crime.

More Girls Off-Grounds

Because this year's
first-year class contained a
higher percentage of girls than
before, even a greater number
of girls will be living
off-campus next year. However
Chief Bowen expressed hope
assaults would not go up. The
explanation was that areas
would probably be better lit
and coeds would be better
educated concerning the
dangers of the Charlottesville
community in general.

This educational problem
consists of telling students
where unsafe areas are and
little things such as simply
locking one's doors and

windows. The responsibility of
informing students moving
off-campus lies with the
University administration, the
media, and the law
enforcement agencies, he said.

Most of the workload for
criminal cases against students
is usually with the
Charlottesville Police
Department rather than the
University Security
Department. The reason for
this is the majority of crimes,
such as assaults and thefts,
have been against students
off-campus, usually by persons
from the Charlottesville
community. "I really don't feel
that the students themselves
add to our crime problem.
They add to the number of
victims," he said but not to the
number of perpetrators of
crime.

Referring to the
International Association of
Chiefs of Police (IACP) report,
Chief Bowen said he had not
reviewed the report fully,
though some good
recommendations were made.
"The University administration
has to make a decision on what
they really want," he said. "Do
you want a real legitimate
police department? Do you
want a night watchman
service? Do you want a highly
sophisticated investigative type
of division?"

IACP Points To Weaknesses

"I think what the IACP
report has done is to point
where the Security Department
is weak and where it can make
corrections." Although there
were some reservations in the
Chief's comments to the
practicability of some of the
proposed solutions, he said,
"By and large, though, I
thought it was a good report."

According to this report the
Chief commented the Security
Department has not been
statistically effective. While
this is somewhat to be
expected because the nature of
the crimes deals with personal
property, he expressed the
view they will be more
effective in the future.

Drugs

On drug usage and sale in
the University community the
comments were broken down
into three general areas:
marijuana, LSD and
amphetamines, and heroin.

There is "more and more
use of marijuana not just
among the students" he said.
The so-called "straight" middle
class society is using marijuana
more than in the past. While
saying this was more common
in the urban centers of the
nation, it is also present in the
Charlottesville area. He
referred to possibly
businessmen smoking
marijuana at a cocktail party or
some similar social gathering as
exemplifying this trend.

Pot Increases With Supply

Describing marijuana usage
as "fairly active" at the
University level he said usage
might have increased somewhat
according to the supply. "I
certainly don't intend to
dictate morals or say to
someone you shouldn't smoke
pot, you shouldn't do this, you
shouldn't do that. It is just that
when the law is flagrantly
violated and comes to our
attention we have to take some
action."

Referring to LSD, Chief
Bowen said he did not see any
increase in the use although its
use probably fluctuates
according to the supply. On
amphetamines he commented
some were at the University
"but some of that has always
been at an institution where
people have to cram for exams.
I think that the misuse is
probably there a little bit more
than it was before."

There seems to be no signs
of use of heroin among the
students said the Chief and
expressed doubt as to whether
or not students could continue
in an academic environment
while using this drug.

Jurisdiction Problems

The jurisdiction question
has caused some problems in
the Charlottesville area and this
matter was explained by Chief
Bowen. By state law the Police
Department has authority for
one mile beyond the city limits
thus giving the Charlottesville
Police jurisdiction on most of
the Grounds. The University
Security Department is sworn
in the same court as the Police
Department and basically both
are operating under the same
rules and regulations.

The sheriff's office gives the
sheriff jurisdiction in the city,
in the University (which is
State property), and in the
county thus giving him the
biggest jurisdiction of all three
agencies. However his principle
area of concern is the county.
Chief Bowen said, the three
agencies cooperate well
together and it is a matter of
each having a different primary
responsibility.