Car thefts, burglaries up
By Kristopher Hanson
Daily Forty-Niner
A rash of auto burglaries and car thefts
on campus has caught the attention of University Police, who are asking
for the help of students and staff in catching the perpetrators.
The number of vehicles stolen or broken
into this semester has already surpassed last semester's total, according
to police.
The increase is attributable to a number
of factors, including the sky-rocketing enrollment figures, said University
Police Sgt. Bonnie Myers.
"When you have an increase in students,
you have an increase in car burglaries and thefts," Myers said.
Myers has written a crime prevention alert
memo being distributed across campus.
The memo offers tips and prevention methods
to alert students and staff of the problem.
From Aug. 31 to Nov. 10, there were 16
auto burglaries and 19 vehicle thefts, according to police records. Thefts
occur when a car is stolen, while burglaries occur when a vehicle is broken
into.
From Feb. 1 to June 1, campus police listed
19 auto burglaries, nine stolen vehicles and one motorcycle theft.
"Lot 14 is where we're seeing the majority
of auto burglaries and car thefts," said University Police Det. Fernando
Solorzano.
"The third floor Parking Structure is another
area."
"The most popular car for auto burglaries
is the Honda Civic...no specific year," Solorzano said. Mid-'80s Toyota
pick-up trucks are the most commonly stolen vehicles this semester, he
said.
With enrollment pushing the 30,000 mark,
police said they believe the number of thefts and burglaries is in direct
correlation with the increased number of people on campus.
The majority of thefts and burglaries is
taking place while students are in class, "usually anywhere between 2 and
7 p.m.," Solorzano said.
"If anyone sees anything unusual or suspicious
happening, give us a call," Solorzano said.
"We believe people are seeing this take
place."
Prevention methods police consider effective
include the use of a kill switch, an alarm or The Club.
"The kill switch is the most effective
because it disables the car," Solorzano said.
The easiest way to avoid becoming a victim
is not being a target, police said.
"Students shouldn't leave valuables out
[in plain view]," Solorzano said.
"Secure them in a trunk."
Police are also changing the way they patrol
the campus.
"We've boosted our patrol levels in the
parking lots," Solorzano said.
"We are taking a proactive rather than
a reactive approach."
However, police said they have no suspect
information yet and are seeking help in reversing the current trend.
Stressing that they cannot be everywhere
at all times, police are asking students and staff to be their eyes and
ears.
If anyone sees a suspicious individual
loitering near vehicles or hears a car alarm going off, University Police
may be called from a public phone or any of the blue emergency phones all
around campus. |
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