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Taking a break
Lawrence police tell ways to fool thieves
by Carrie Harper Kansan staff writer
You might as well put a sign on your door that says, "Thieves, take my stuff. I'll be back next week."
That's the signal you give when you leave your curtains drawn, your apartment dark and newspapers piling up on your front porch, according to Lawrence authorities.
Protect your property by taking precautions before Spring Break, said Sgt. Schuyler Bailey of KU police.
Bailey said students should not leave expensive property unattended during Spring Break.
"if it is a really expensive item, they shouldn't have it at college anyway," Bailey said.
halley said he did not think the number of burglaries increased during Spring Break, but statistics on crime during previous Spring Breaks were not available.
were not available.
"Officers might do more checking on foot, checking exterior doors, but most resident directors are still living in their respective dorms." Bailey said.
sim living in their respective communities. Fred McIlhenie, associate director of student housing, said the dorms had more security during the breaks.
"The residents are gone and we have to be more alert to who's 'who.' McElhenie said.
altoft to Who's who, McElhenie. McColm Hall probably will be the only residence hall left open for students who are staying in Lawrence during the break, McElhenic said. The other dorms will be locked, but maintenance personnel will be working in them.
"It's not as if they will be sitting vacant," MeFlibien said.
He said the staff would go through each room in every hall after the students have left to make sure that no safety hazards existed and the windows and doors were locked.
students who stay at McCollum during break will stay either in their own rooms or in vacant rooms, but not in another resident's room without written permission, he said.
McElhenie said that only the main entrance to McCollum would be open during the break, and that a security check-in table would be at the entrance 24 hours.
"We have had assorted incidents over the years, but nothing has ever been a major problem," he said.
A kickplate is the metal plate on the door frame where the lock goes into the wall. Mulvenon said the more secure a kickplate was, the less likely it would be that a person would be able to kick in the door
Mulvenon said students should triple check to make sure doors and windows were locked, including sliding glass doors. He said the door should be installed at an angle to ensure it is secure with at least three-inch wood screws.
Chris Mulvenon, Lawrence Police Department spokesman, said officers were aware of the times when students would be out of town. He said the police department will watch to watch for suspicions activities near apartments.
be that a person woul
He said students should engrave their valuables with their driver's license numbers and keep a list of the serial numbers in a separate place. This should be maintained all the time, not done just for breaks, Mulvenon said.
Students should put lights and a radio or television
on a timer so that it sounds like someone is home, Mulvenon said. Timers, which turn devices on and off at pre-set times, are available at hardware stores for about $12.
Mulvenon said students should turn down the bells on their telephones so a ringing phone could not be heard from outside.
Neighbors or friends who will be staying in town could check the apartment periodically, pick up mail and newspapers and keep an eye out for suspicious people, he said.
people, he said.
Mulvenon also suggested that students close the curtains so thieves cannot look in, and should keep expensive items out of sight.
The Oread Neighborhood Association, however, suggested that students move a plant or a chair in front of the window, but leave the shades open a little. Closed shades usually indicate that a person is not home, according to a security checklist provided by the association.
The association used to print a list of suggestions in its newsletter for students who would be away for semester or Spring Break.
Linda Hixon, coordinator of the association, said that the association used to do free security checks, but that its primary focus had changed from crime prevention to neighborhood development. She said she did give information about security when people called.
Bicycles and mopeds should be stored inside, but only after gas and oil have been drained, Hixon said. Students should leave the porch light on all the time because it is inexpensive and it deters crime year-round, Hixon said.
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KANSAN Taking a break/March 1 1989