The Vanderbilt University Police Department, one of Tennessee's largest law enforcement forces, has been taking huge strides against campus crime over the last year. The efforts of these 129 officers have paid off, as Vanderbilt has seen a significant decrease in crime from last year, according to statistics to be released this month in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's annual "Crime on Campus" report.

The report confirms that the Vanderbilt campus is becoming an increasingly safe place to live, with reported incidences in crime decreasing in just about every category. TBI statistics showed a drastic decrease in such crime as burglaries, which decreased by 41 percent, drinking violations, which decreased by 60 percent, and sexual offenses, which decreased by 78 percent.

First-year student Zye Hooks, Vanderbilt Student Government's campus security co-chair, is excited about the decrease in crime but believes Vanderbilt could stand to reduce crime further.

"(The decrease in crime) is good news, and we should all be happy about that, but we should not be too complacent," Hooks said. "I plan to work closely with the VPD this year because no student should feel unsafe at this school, and no parent should have to worry about their child's safety while they are away."

While overall assaults, including both simple and aggravated assault, decreased from 147 to 141 incidents in 2008, the number of simple assaults did increase by 14 percent. The number of DUIs reported also increased, however, from 67 in 2007 to 80 in 2008.

This recent drop in crime follows new measures by the VPD to decrease crime, including the addition of a victim services coordinator to assist victims and witnesses after a crime. Other actions that increased campus security in the last year include improved card access in residence halls and increased visibility of officers on and around the Vanderbilt campus. Vanderbilt officers are commissioned as a special force by Nashville and Davidson County and therefore have the power to make arrests on campus and in nearby streets and neighborhoods.

"We're glad to see our efforts pay off and that our decreased crime rates mirror declining crime in Nashville overall," said Cathy Ryan, Vanderbilt's interim police chief in a recent press release by Vanderbilt news services.

Despite the advances VPD has made in campus security, Vanderbilt could still benefit from security improvements.

"I think right now we need to switch our lighting around campus to (brighter) LED bulbs, and it seems like a viable option," Hooks said. "I also want to put more lighting around campus, and I'd like to see more police officers patrolling the campus."

The police force currently spans across Vanderbilt's campus and the medical center. The 2009 report will include statistics from the medical center's recent expansion into the 100 Oaks shopping center in downtown Nashville.