THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008
APARTMENT GUIDE
7
Students find easy ways to prevent robberies
BY ALEXANDRA GARRY editor@kansan.com
Moving out into an apartment, house, duplex or town home and away from parents or Student Housing for the first time can mean the addition of several new - and perhaps even slightly scary - responsibilities. One such responsibility that may go unconsidered by many just may be the most important - personal safety.
Rented properties such as apartments are nearly 85 percent more likely to be the target of a break-in than "owned" property such as individual family homes, according to the Douglas County District Attorney Office's web site.
Though, as a poor college student, you may not
resold, making them ideal candidates for being stolen.
According to a recent press release by the KU Public Safety office, property crime such as theft and burglary ("break-ins") "almost always make up the majority of all crimes reported on a college campus."
"It's important to use security measures to keep yourself safe."
The office reported the number of "total criminal offenes" on and around campus to have fallen from 737 in 2006 to 664 in 2007. National statistics from the Department of
feel like a good target for theft, odds are you probably have computer equipment, an MP3 player, a home entertainment system or perhaps even just a run-of-the-mill cell phone. All these items are easily stolen and easily
CHRIS KEARY Public Safety Officer
Justice show a decline in all crime in the past 30 years, but crime in Lawrence actually increased by 2 percent from 2006 to 2007.
Assistant Chief of the Public Safety Officer Chris Keary emphasized "putting in the effort" to keep a home secure to prevent victimization.
"It is important to use security measures to keep yourself safe," Keary said. "Just make sure to always lock the doors and windows is a good start. Security is sometimes a matter of effort, but it's not hard."
Keary suggested taking security into consideration when looking for an apartment, but also said there were a number of ways to make an existing living space less attractive to burglars. Some tips included asking a trusted friend to look after a home while its occupants are away, having - and always locking - strong deadbolts and installing timers on lights to make it appear as if someone is home even when the space is empty.
"If someone is going to break in, that person might want to choose the home that's dark all the time," he said. "It's good to make it look like there's someone around."
Sergeant Paul Fellers of the Lawrence Police Department said home security was largely about awareness and who had access to your information.
"Never give out information about when you will be home, never let strangers into your home, and never let strangers know if you live alone," Fellers said.
Keary said the first step to making a living space more secure is a good analysis of the status quo.
"Take a good look at your place and what you could do to make it safer," he said.
burglary prevention tips
- Keep shrubs - especially those around the entry points of a property - properly trimmed, so they aren't potential hiding spots for burglars
- Record the serial numbers of valuable items, such as laptops or cameras
- Keep valuables hidden; never leave electronics, cash or other valuable items in plain view
- Never freely give out information about when you are going to be home
- If you are away for a long period, ask friends or neighbors to keep an eye on your home, and consider getting your mail and deliveries forwarded or picked up by someone you trust
- If you live alone, don't let strangers know
- Work with your property management to make sure your facilities are well-lit and your doors properly secured
- If your place has a sliding door, place a metal or wood rod in its track to prevent it from being opened from the outside
- Consider getting timers for a lamp,TV,or even a radio to make it switch on automatically to make it appear as if someone is home even when you are away.
Sources: Chris Keary, Assistant Chief, KU Public Safety Office, Paul Fellers, Sargent; Lawrence Police Department
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