The University is ranked number four in Louisiana for safest colleges.

According to the University’s crime data, Nicholls had one on-campus arrest for weapons and five arrests for drug abuse violations in 2010. The University also had eight on-campus criminal offenses and seven residence hall related criminal offenses. The University submits crime rates every October.

At Louisiana State University, there were 156 on-campus arrests and 49 on-campus criminal offenses. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette had 13 on-campus arrests and 17 on-campus criminal offenses. The University of New Orleans had three on-campus arrests and 20 on-campus criminal offenses.

“Nicholls State has always been one of the top 10 safest campuses,” University Police chief Craig Jaccuzzo said.

University Police has a number of precautions set up to keep the campus safe and protected. These include populating offices where students visit frequently and being present around campus and in parking lots. University Police also keep high visibility and follow up on all crimes through data resources.

“After confirming a student’s involvement in a crime, we execute the University’s Code of Student Conduct,” Jaccuzzo said.

University Police patrol campus 24 hours each day of the year. In addition to patrolling, the University also has surveillance cameras and card swipes to get in and out of residence halls. The card swipes are used to keep track of who is going in and out of the building in a productive manner.

University Police handles all disturbances that occur on campus. There is no outside assistance from other law forces, Jaccuzzo said.

“We can’t take all the credit for this campus being safe. It is a team effort between University Police, faculty, staff and the community,” Jaccuzzo said.

“While we keep a safe presence, students make comments like ‘look, there is security.’ University Police is an 18 police man force with full arrest powers,” Jaccuzzo said.

University Police handles chaos in an efficient and inexpensive way, Jaccuzzo explained. They have also solved every one of their crimes. There is a lot that happens behind closed doors to keep the University safe, he said.

Craig Jaccuzzo has been with University Police for eight years in January and received the police chief position in 2004.

On University Police’s Web site, students can find information on University Police, emergency preparedness and personal safety. The site also provides information for on-campus and off-campus resources to help students with crises or questions they might have. Students can also find numbers to report a crime anonymously.

“I would like to thank the student body for their great behavior,” Jaccuzzo said. “University Police strives to offer the best service.”

“I feel safe because I can just walk outside and not have to worry about hearing gun shots or being mugged,” Lauryn Frioulx, general studies sophomore from Luling, said.

Blake Richard, business management junior from Thibodaux, said that there is not a single day he does not see a University Police officer patrolling or helping a student.

“I absolutely feel safe on Nicholls campus,” Richard said. “I believe the police force on campus is prepared for anything.”