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news
Awareness
is key in car break-in prevention
By Maritza Diaz
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
Four car break-ins
have been reported at Cal State Long Beach since May, according
to University Police. Last year, a total of seven break-ins
were reported between May and August.
The most common item taken in these incidents was the car
stereo. Locations where the burglaries occurred varied.
“There is no one location that could be called statistically
significant. There’s a small sample and a virtually even distribution
throughout lots 1, 20, 14, 12 and the [parking] structure,”
said Greg Pascal, University Police communications supervisor.
Once a car break in has been reported, University Police head
out to the scene and ask the owner not to touch anything.
The officer conducts an investigation that includes dusting
for fingerprints and searching to see if any items have been
left behind. The collection of evidence is very important
to the investigation, Det. Scot Willey of University Police
said.
Officers then proceed to ask how long the car has been parked.
“We want to establish a time frame,” said Willey.
Officers then look to see how the car was broken into. Officers
check to see if a window was broken or left open. With the
weather getting hotter, it’s not uncommon to find a car’s
windows slightly open to allow for ventilation.
“If you have a pull out stereo, pull it out. Don’t leave any
books out, or anything that might tempt someone,” said Willey.
Willey suggests keeping a log of all serial numbers of anything
valuable in a person’s car. It is also important for everyone
to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around the
parking lots and report anything unusual.
Alarms are a good source of security but are not 100% effective.
Willey suggests using any security devices available. It is
also important for a person to make sure all doors are locked
and all windows are closed before heading off to class.
Some auto theft prevention tips from the Long Beach Police
Department include:
• Park in a well-populated area
• Put all valuables in the trunk. Don’t put valuables under
the seats or cover them with clothing.
• Install alarms that will activate sirens, lights or horns.
This might scare potential thieves
• Have locking lug nuts to prevent tires from being stolen
• Install a battery-locking device to prevent the battery
form being stolen.
To report a break-in or any suspicious activity, contact University
Police at (562) 985-4101 or use the code blue phones located
throughout the campus.
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