According to the UWPD, we students north of 45th are in pretty good shape when it comes to the dark forces of crime. That is, at least, when the issue is something serious.

Especially for those of us in the Greek community, crime is something that catches attention. Whether it’s “lesser” alcohol-related crimes or “more serious” crimes like theft, less than legitimate activity has nestled into a niche of college and Greek life.

Despite scares from the highly publicized and frightening assault of a female student near Northeast 47th Street and 18th Avenue Northeast, the facts show that crime has taken a downward turn. As a whole, the University District is actually one of the safest areas in the city of Seattle.

While the crimes we hear most about are often sensational, the most common infractions don’t include the violence of the 18th Avenue Northeast assault or the assault outside of Alpha Sigma Phi last April, according to Ralph Robinson, the UWPD assistant chief. Instead, most crime is alcohol related, with a majority of citations dealing with minors in possession (MIP) and drinking in public.

With a plan involving enforcement, education and continuous interaction with the area’s residents and Greek leadership, the UWPD is making progress. The police are becoming less lenient, and it’s working.

Compared to this time last year, there have been nearly half as many warnings but more than double the number of actual citations. This sounds harsh, but when you consider that MIPs have declined by almost 60 percent and that adult liquor violations have declined by more than 40 percent, it’s easy to see that a prominent crime in the U-District is becoming less and less of an issue.

And, according to the police, this decline in alcohol-related crimes will — and has been proven to — translate into a decline in other areas.

“Alcohol abuse, if not addressed, leads to worse things like vandalism, theft and assault,” Robinson said. “If we can nip it in the bud, that’s what we’re going to do.”

However, one thing that does remain is the vandalism and petty theft that seems to me to be part of the college culture. I’ve seen paint buckets dumped on my front steps and had windows broken.

We’ve had composites, framed art and even fake plants stolen from our formal room. Who steals a fake plant, anyway?

But whether it stems from rivalry, an adrenaline rush or pure maliciousness, these things do happen, and I don’t see them connected to alcohol in the same way that many other crimes in our area are.

And, because “calling the cops” won’t accomplish much in those situations, my tentative hypothesis is that a vast majority of vandalism and petty theft crimes go unreported.

So what do we do? How do we stop thieves and vandals?

Honestly, I think it’s pretty simple: Stay away from petty crimes. It’s not that great; I’ve learned that. Honestly, it’s juvenile, and I promise it will definitely catch up with you later, and for God’s sake, don’t walk around outside with an open container. You’re going to get a ticket, I promise.

[Reach columnist Nick Feldman at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]