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Even six is too many when it comes to crime.
The annual campus security report shows burglaries were down from eight the previous year to six, which is still too many for Felisa Barnes, campus security manager. Aggravated assaults were also down to two from the previous year’s three.
“Most people would think our numbers would be higher,” Barnes said. “I think the community respects Wesleyan, and it brings respect.”
Barnes credited Wesleyan’s low numbers to its small student population compared to that of other universities.
“It’s like comparing Los Angeles to Louisiana,” she said.
While many complain that Wesleyan security does not possess guns, Barnes said the attitude and performance of Wesleyan’s security shows they are unnecessary.
“[Texas Christian University] has armed officers and their [crime rate] numbers are up,” she said.
Many people also underestimate the close relationship Wesleyan security has with the Fort Worth Police Department, Barnes said. She cited the President’s Honors Concert as an example of increased FWPD presence, though it wasn’t blatant.
On-campus liquor-law violations plummeted from 18 to four while drug abuse violations skyrocketed from four to 16. Unless it is a significant amount of contraband, security turns offenders over to Dean of Students Cary Poole.
“The law only gives them a slap on the hand,” said Barnes in reference to minor infractions. “I’m totally against drugs, but sometimes it’s just residue and a lot of it is drug paraphernalia.”
Poole said the punishment traditionally depends on the type of violation and quantity of substance. If students are caught with marijuana considered for personal use they are put on probation.
“We’re able to salvage their academic career,” he said.
Students who are suspected of dealing or trafficking, or are caught with more severe drugs like meth, are suspended.
Federal law only requires that on campus liquor law violators under the age of 21 be reported for the campus criminal statistics report. Wesleyan is a dry campus even for those of legal drinking age.
The attitude of reprimanded students determines their punishment, Poole said.
“We meet with them and educate them on policy, and it depends on how it goes,” he said.
Poole said a possible reason alcohol numbers are low because of the distance between Wesleyan and local convenience stores.
Although the crime numbers were relatively low, Barnes said she hopes to get the burglary numbers down.
“When I turned them in I was very proud,” she said. “But we’re too small for six. Our campus is better than that.”
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