Protecting Personal Property

Two police officers stand at the edge of a crowd gathered outdoors, facing a public event in the distance.

The majority of crimes on campus involve theft. Regardless of the monetary or personal value of what is stolen, being victimized by a thief can cause a lot of anger and frustration. The good news is that you can minimize the chances of becoming a victim.

The most effective method of preventing theft is eliminating the opportunity — lock up! You can also be prepared should you ever have property stolen. Make an itemized list of your valuables, including serial numbers and a brief description of each article. Report lost or stolen items immediately. The more accurate information you have available for the responding agency, the better the chance of recovery.

Lock your windows and doors and secure valuables like jewelry, cash and important documents in a safe place. Thieves often look for an easy target and it only takes a matter of seconds for them to make off with your property.

Computers

The theft of computers and computer accessories has become a major crime industry. Laptops are especially at risk for being stolen. Losing your computer means more than just the loss of its use and the cost to replace it — it means lost schoolwork, personal information, photos and music, some of which is irreplaceable.

Again, preventing theft is your best bet, and insurance companies are now requiring more proof that sufficient safeguards were in place if a computer is stolen. Register your computer with Public Safety to ensure that all the proper information is on file in case you have to file a police report. Keep your computer out of easy view, in a lockable area, and consider using a locking plate or tie to secure it to a desk, wall or the floor. To protect yourself if your computer is stolen, back up all of your important files regularly and store them in a safe place. Keep your purchase receipts for insurance claims and to prove ownership.

Automobiles

Keep all items locked in the trunk or out of sight. Thieves target vehicles that contain items like personal bags or cell phones. Engrave any items that could be removed from your vehicle (stereo equipment, satellite radio, etc.).

Textbooks

You make a financial investment in your textbooks each semester — make sure to protect them. If you can sell back your books for cash, so can anyone else. Never leave your belongings unattended and mark your bookbag and books clearly so they can be identified as yours.

Bicycles

Bicycle theft is most prevalent on and around college campuses. Stolen bicycles can be extremely difficult to recover, which is why theft prevention is so important.

The majority of bicycles that have been stolen around the College were not locked or were locked using a cable or chain lock. Use a high-quality lock — Public Safety and most bike shops recommend a U-lock (which still must be used properly to be most effective).

Type of Lock

Ask yourself how much your bike is worth to you. It’s probably worth investing the time to learn how to properly lock it, the money to purchase a good quality lock, and the effort to keep it locked at all times.

Seek advice about the best lock for your needs and how to use it properly.
U-lock or cable lock? Lightweight cables or chains no longer provide adequate security in most areas.
Combine a cable and a U-lock, or even two U-locks, when securing your bicycle.
Make sure that the design of the lock is functional and not just there for looks.
The best locks are made of steel.
Do not buy a larger lock than you need.

Proper Use of Lock

A good lock is only worth the effort you put into using it properly.

Lock your bike to an immovable object. Beware of locking it to items that can be easily cut, broken or otherwise removed.
Lock your bike in visible, well-lit areas.
Select a location where there are other bikes. Avoid locking your bicycle to sign posts, stair rails and handicap ramps.
Position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill up as much as possible of the opening in the U portion of the lock.
Don’t let your lock rest against the ground — a thief can easily smash it.
Always secure your components and accessories, especially those that can be easily removed like quick-release wheels or seats.
Public Safety may confiscate unlocked bikes.

Your Apartment Or House

By far, the most common threat to an apartment or house is burglary. Burglary, by definition, is a non-confrontational crime, but being victimized can leave you feeling vulnerable and violated. The majority of burglaries occur during the day when people are away at work or at school. They also occur at night when there are obvious signs that no one is home.

Although burglaries may seem to occur randomly, they actually involve a selection process; homes with easy access, the greatest amount of cover and the best escape routes are likely targets. The following suggestions will help you to minimize your risk by making your home unattractive to potential burglars.

Doors and Locks

The first step to preventing burglary is to make your home difficult to enter.

All exterior/entry doors should be made of solid wood, solid wood core or metal and should fit tightly into the doorframe. They should also have a heavy-duty deadbolt lock with a throw bolt (the bolt that extends from the door) that is at least one-inch long.
If door hinges are on the exterior, the hinge pins should be non-removable.
Locks that can be opened from inside should be at least 40 inches from glass.
Make sure locks have been re-keyed after the last occupants.
Strike plates (small metal plates surrounding the hole in the door frame) should be of a heavy-duty metal with four 3-inch screws to penetrate into the doorframe.
Check for, or install a 180-degree peephole — it should be no higher than five feet off the ground.

Windows

It’s easy to forget about an open window, but it may be the sole reason a home is burglarized.

When opening a window for ventilation, open it six inches or less, block it from being opened more, and make sure someone can’t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device. Make sure you can easily remove the blocking device from the inside to comply with fire codes.
Double hung windows should be pinned.
Metal windows should have auxiliary locks.
Curtains and drapes should fully cover windows.
If the home has a window AC unit, it should be secured from inside.

Lighting

Interior lighting shows signs that a residence is occupied. Avoid regularly leaving your lights off at night, whether you are at home or away.

Exterior lighting is also very important and becomes critical if you park in a
common area or garage and need to walk to your front door. Perimeter lighting
of your apartment building or house, especially at the entryway, is very important.
• Lights should be on a timer or photocell to turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn. Motion-activated lighting is a good alternative.
• Lighting should allow 100-foot visibility, illuminating the entire front of the house, any hiding places, and the building number.
• A well-lit pathway and front door ensure visibility when walking to or answering your door.

Project Identification

Marking your property with permanent identification foils thieves in several ways: First, it works as a deterrent. Removing markings defaces the property, reducing its attraction to a would-be thief. Second, it’s easier to recover your property when it’s distinctively marked. Further, the ability to trace stolen property through a formal identifier helps law enforcement link the crime to the criminal.

Public Safety strongly recommends engraving your property — from bicycles to computers — with your driver’s license number or name. Stop by our office to learn about our engraving service. We will also loan out engraving tools.

As an additional deterrent, students can obtain stickers that indicate their property has been marked to put on their doors.