Statistics from the U.S. Department of Education indicate that nearly 50,000 violent and property crimes are reported every year on college and university campuses throughout the country. Other studies indicate that the actual numbers likely exceed 200,000 not including crimes against students in off-campus residential and recreational areas. Whether on or off campus college students are not immune from the crime which unfortunately pervades our greater society. This is a side of college life that most schools would rather prospective customers just didn't know about. Their brochures might talk about the kind of security services they offer, but generally do not actually address the crime that warrants these services.
College campuses are very unique environments.
Most traditional campuses are made up of large groups of young people, many of them on their own for the very first time. Social and recreational activities frequently involve alcohol. Youth, alcohol and concentrated populations are often significant factors in crime. Date-rapes and hazings, for example, frequently involve the abuse of alcohol or drugs. Although not tracked by federal statistics, theft is the crime that is most likely to affect college students.