SWT reports sharp decline in property crimes

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — Southwest Tecas State University has experienced a 32 percent decrease in property crimes on campus over the past three academic years.

The dramatic decline in thefts, burglaries and car thefts was detailed recently in a report by John Megerson, director of the University Police Department. The report reveals a continuing drop in the crime rate over the 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 academic years.

Megerson said he credits a number of new programs and initiatives undertaken by police and parking services personnel as contributing to the decline. He also said employees in Records and Communications have created databases and provided statistics that allow police to focus their activities where they are needed the most.

“We in management can develop or suggest all of the programs we want, but they are meaningless if the personnel do not fine tune them, develop their own, and then carry them out,” said Megerson.

He said residence hall contacts, Crime Prevention Unit programs and initiatives in patrol and traffic activities are reflected in the data.

“I doubt any other comparable university could show such dramatic results in such a short period of time,” said Megerson.