Burglary/Theft to Motor Vehicle 101
Don’t become a victim of a burglary or theft to a motor vehicle. The following statistics are given in the hope of raising the awareness of this crime and how you can protect your valuables. Burglary/theft to motor vehicle is one of if not the most frequent crimes on our campus.
In 2006 the SIUE Police Department investigated 80 reported burglary/thefts to motor vehicles. Of those 80 incidents:
The method of entry may surprise you. When looking at the incidents that involved items being removed from inside the vehicle (including hangtags) 27 were found to be forced entry, 36 incidents involved vehicles where the doors were unlocked or the windows were rolled down, 7 were reported as to the owner not knowing for sure if the car was locked (no forced entry was evident in these 7.) Hangtags seem to be the most frequently stolen items followed by stereos, stereo accessories, compact discs, ipods, and cellular phones.
The Southern Illinois Edwardsville Police Department does their part by conducting routine patrols in the parking lots, 24 hours a day. They respond to and thoroughly investigate any information that is reported to them by the public. Following are some very simple, yet effective, things you as students, faculty, and staff can do to help reduce the number of these crimes on our campus:<>
ALWAYS LOCK YOUR CAR & ROLL UP THE WINDOWS!! Burglary is a crime of opportunity. Many would-be thieves are not going to take the time or the chance of breaking into a locked vehicle. In 2006 almost half of the reported burglaries may have been avoided or that number significantly reduced simply by the owners securing their vehicle.
Look out for each other. Report any suspicious activity or suspicious people that you observe in a parking lot to the University Police. We can be reached 24 hours a day at 650-3324. If you are witnessing a burglary or feel you are in an emergency situation, dial 911.
To aid the police in the recovery of stolen property, we recommend that you keep an inventory list of your valuables. The list should include the name brands of your valuables, the serial numbers, and model numbers. This applies to stereos, stereo accessories, cameras, cell phones, etc. Bank account and credit card information should also be recorded. Keep this list in a locked area in your residence.
Remember, if you become a victim, call the police immediately!
