A Study of Crime Trends at GVSU

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A Study of Crime Trends at GVSU

• Craig Bettis
• Department of Geography and Planning
• Grand Valley State University
• November 17th, 2006

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Study Area

• The Grand Valley Allendale Campus (1,237 acres)
  surrounding areas.
• Adjacent Apartment Complexs.

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Objective

• Determine whether or not crime rates have
  increased at GVSU in Allendale from 2003 through
  2005.
• To see if the crime rate increase is directly
  correlated to the student population increase.

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Hypothesis

• As the number of students increase on campus, and
  in the area, the crime rate will increase
  accordingly.

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Methods

• GVSU Campus Police Beat
• SPSS
• Use the data to formulate tables and graphs in
  Microsoft Excel

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Allendale Campus Statistics

• Student Population (2003) - 15,756
• Student Population (2004) - 16,354
• Student Population (2005) - 16,967
• Population increase of 7.6

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Allendale Campus Crime Statistics

• Number of Crimes (2003) 1,074
• Number of Crimes (2004) 1,096
• Number of Crimes (2005) 1,109
• Crime Increase of 3.3

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Table Explanation

• Other
• Crimes listed under other include
• -Littering
• -Hunting Violation
• -Student Death (treated as homicide)
• -Embezzlement

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Graph Explanation

• Alcohol related crimes includes
• -Minor in Possession
• -Operating under the Influence
• -Furnishing Alcohol to minors
• -Open Intoxicant
• -Under 21 with Blood Alcohol Content
• The increase in Alcohol related crimes is the
  largest by far on campus.

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Results

• An increase in the student population on the
  Allendale campus of 7.6 has led to an increase
  in crime of 3.3.
• Alcohol related crimes have increased almost 5
  from 2003 to 2005.
• Hypothesis is partially correct. Population
  increase has led to an increase in crime, but not
  directly correlated.

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Limitations to Study

• Only GVSU campus police records used.
• -Ottawa county sheriffs often respond to
  calls in area also.
• Police data unorganized and tough to breakdown.
• Absence of data prior to 2003.

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Further Research Ideas

• Retest in 2007 to get a five year overview. Then
  test every year to see whether increase in
  student population creates more crime.
• Compare to increase/decrease in police patrol.
• Off campus and on campus.

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Questions?

• bettisc_at_student.gvsu.edu