MCC reports no major campus crimes for 3 years

McHenry County College reports that no major crimes were committed on the college's main campus in Crystal Lake in a three-year period including 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Murder, manslaughter, robbery and sex offenses totaled zero occurrences. In addition, no major crime was reported for the two satellite facilities: the University Center in Crystal Lake and the Shah Center in McHenry.

Burglary showed the largest decrease from nine incidents in 2005 to two in 2006, reflecting a 77 percent decrease. One of the incidents included a wallet stolen from an unlocked car. Theft from vehicles dropped from three to zero occurrences in the same time period.

This report is created in accordance with the Clery Act, MCC said, which requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.

MCC has increased security and added another method to prevent crime, which basically includes more walking around campus and patrolling the parking lot, MCC's Campus Safety and Security office said

At the main campus on Route 14 in Crystal Lake, security officers drive around the perimeter of the campus and place stickers on illegally parked cars. The low crime rate is significant considering the number of crimes compared to the approximately 2,000 parking spaces that are usually filled during the weekdays, the office added.

The safety and security office employs a staff of 12 with three separate shifts providing security for three campuses.

With heightened security the office is being more vigilant and knowing who's on campus at all times, the office said, crediting faculty, staff and students who alert the office when they see a suspicious person or package. People help by being alert, locking their car doors and by not leaving (computer) passwords in plain view.