According to the DeKalb Police Department’s Annual Report, from 2009 to 2010, sex offenses and burglary have both dropped 8 percent, theft dropped 13 percent and criminal sexual assault dropped 2 percent.

“As time allows, we have tried to focus on being more aggressive,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen. “We’ve asked the university to expand patrols on the northwest side of town…the Dekalb police department and NIU police department pair together to keep the streets safe.”

NIU Police Sgt. Alan Smith said the two forces work well together.

“We have started patrolling off campus and working with the DeKalb Police Department. If they need assistance, we cover them; if we need assistance, they cover us…We have a good working relationship.”

The DPD’s report included a “24 Hour DeKalb Clock” that indicated criminal sexual assault happens once every eight days, burglary once every two days and theft once every eight hours. The report also states the days with the highest concentration of criminal activity are Fridays, followed by Saturdays. Wednesdays were reported to have the least amount of crime in 2010.

Feithen recommended students going to parties make sure “friends take care of friends.”

“For the most part, I think the campus and community is safe,” said senior communications major Kaela Socha. “There are always police around, especially on

the weekends.”

According to statistics on the NIU Police website, sex offenses on campus have dropped from 19 reported incidences to nine from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, the University of Illinois in Champaign reported 15 sex offenses on a comparison chart provided by NIU.

Dekalb had a 2 percent drop in criminal sexual assaults from 2009 to 2010, according to the Dekalb police annual report.

“Traditionally we have few sexual assaults by strangers,” Feithen said. These assaults are usually acted out by someone the victim knows, he said.

The Department of Police and Public Safety has implemented programs to avoid criminal behavior and keep the NIU community safe. Such programs include the Late Night Ride Service that is staffed by the members of the Security Guard Division. The service is available free to NIU students with a no-questions-asked policy and operates from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“The tips I would give an underclassman are don’t walk alone, use the Late Night Ride as often as possible and always keep your cell [phone] on,” Socha said.

The Department of Police and Public Safety also offers a Walk Safe Program, in which students who work for the Huskie Patrol escort those who do not want to walk alone at night.

“I was unaware of the Walk Safe program, but I’m sure it’s helpful,” said senior history major Jessica Tate. “It can get scary walking home from campus late at night.”

Smith said the Huskie Patrol serves as another set of eyes for NIU Police.

Feithen offered some tips for students who need to walk at night.

“Always keep your cell phone handy,” he said. “Let roommates know where you are and when you are on your way home and stay in well-lit areas.”