Gaming systems, laptops, TVs and jewelry were reported stolen from students’ off-campus homes during Ohio University’s Winter Break, but authorities say there are numerous precautions students can take to prevent being a victim during Spring Break.
One option is to sign up for a vacation check with the Athens Police Department, a process that would prompt officers to check up on your property while you’re away. All it takes is filling out one form at APD’s headquarters, 11 N. College St.
As of Thursday morning, APD Lt. Jeff McCall said there have been no requests filed for vacation checks during the past several months.
In addition, students can install a plug-in light timer that will turn on lights in the house at certain times of the day. If possible, it might be a good idea to agree among your roommates to have someone check up on the property periodically over the course of the break, McCall said, adding that he believes signing up for the vacation check is the best option.
“Typically students do not return until just before school starts back up, thereby reducing our chances of solving their burglary and preventing others from occurring,” McCall said. “This is why vacation checks are crucial to the safety and security of our residences and neighborhoods.”
But, in some instances, there might be little the cops can do.
“Let’s say someone leaves an unlocked window. (Burglars) go in that window and go back out and close it. We will not know that entry was made,” McCall said. “Now, if we go there and the door is kicked in, then we know something is wrong.”
Between Jan. 1-14, when most students returned to Athens from OU’s Winter Break, a combined 16 burglaries and thefts were reported.
McCall added that sometimes a landlord or employee of a landlord will discover a burglary before the students return.
But these incidents are less prevalent over the weeklong break, Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said.
“It’s not on par with the longer breaks in the summer and winter simply because it’s only a week and we find out about these things much quicker than other breaks,” Pyle said. “And so, it doesn’t happen as often, but it still is a concern and is something we watch for.”
Pyle believes his department must do a better job of promoting their vacation check service. Since 2009, the department has only handled 16 calls for service involving vacation checks, with 13 of those occurring in 2012, according to the department’s 2013 annual report.
“A lot of people don’t know about it, and so, I think in the future we need to do a better job of promoting the fact that we do this as a service,” Pyle said. “That’s definitely something we need to do a better job of.”
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