![\"IMG_1516\"](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/IMG_1516.jpg\")
<\/a>According to the 2013 Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report, the number of reported thefts, alcohol violations, and sexual offenses were all down from previous years.<\/p>\n\u201cWe attribute [the decreases] to our crime prevention programs,\u201d Brian McPike, interim police chief, Department of Public Safety, said. \u00a0\u201cThe UCCS PD is committed to a pro-active, educational approach to our crime fighting methods and we feel that there has been an effective use of awareness and prevention programs that helped our students, staff and faculty understand that prevention is a campus-wide initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n
While most major crimes saw a decrease, UCCS did see an increased number of illegal drug offenses and vehicular thefts.<\/p>\n
According to McPike, the number of drug offenses is most likely associated with the passage of Amendment 64 which legalized the use of recreational marijuana in the state of Colorado but not on the university\u2019s campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the passing of Amendment 64, we discovered there were individuals who misinterpreted the Amendment’s language, and may have thought that possession or smoking marijuana on campus was now allowed,\u201d McPike said. \u201cIt is not, as it is still prohibited by federal law.\u201d<\/p>\n
The increased number of vehicular thefts was the result of large vehicular theft ring within Colorado Springs that targeted late-model Hondas. According to the report, three cars were stolen from campus during the 2013 spring semester.<\/p>\n
In order to see continual decrease in crime, McPike encouraged faculty, staff and students to report any suspicious activity to the UCCS Police Department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more eyes and ears we have reporting suspicious activity to us, the quicker our officers can respond to and deter or arrest an individual,\u201d McPike said.<\/p>\n
The University Police Dispatch Center can be reached at 719-255-3111. Campus members can also make an anonymous report at the following link: http:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/pusafety\/police\/reportacrime.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n The full 2013 Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report can be viewed at: http:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/Documents\/asr\/ASR%202013.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"