Students’ return fosters decrease in crime rate

Deputy Jesse Riner of the Baldwin County Sherriff’s Department has confirmed that the crime rate in Milledgeville consistently drops when students return for the academic calendar year.

According to Riner, 446 incidents were reported and 371 people arrested between June 23 and July 31. Only 421 incidents were reported and 359 people were arrested between Aug. 1 and Sept. 8.

“These numbers kind of shocked me,” Riner said. “I checked the statistics of the past three years and the rates always drop when school is in. I expected the rates to increase because of underage drinking.”

Students have their opinions of why this is the trend.

“Underage college students drink thinking they’re invincible, and they let themselves act irresponsibly which causes them to get caught and arrested, thus I believe the crime rate goes up,” sophomore Niki McCarthy said.

Sophomore Margaret Helms has her own opinions of why the crime rates drop.

“I think that the crime rate goes up while students are in town because criminals know that college students have irresponsible tendencies, such as leaving the door unlocked, giving their keys to friends and putting themselves in dangerous situations like walking alone,” Helms said.

Officers also cited several reasons why this trend might occur.

“Idle hands are the devil’s playground,” Public Safety Officer Wes Ransom said. “When there is nothing for college and high school students to do in Milledgeville, the more likely they are to commit crimes.”

Ransom explained how a string of burglaries over the summer were committed by teenagers out of school.

“I also think it has something to do with the weather. People are more likely to commit crimes in warmer weather,” Ransom said.

Burglary and theft is the most common crime committed in Milledgeville, according to the Eagle Advantage System used by the sheriff’s office.

“When it comes to theft and burglary, students are definitely the victims. However I won’t deny they are the perpetrators of alcohol-related crimes,” Riner said.

The incidents that decrease during the school year include: burglary, driving under the influence, tickets issued and accidents reported. Even though alcohol-related crimes increase during the school year, the overall incidents reported decreased.

Posted by Matt Chambers on Oct 1 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.