University Police -- Off Campus Safety Tips

The majority of crimes at off campus student housing, especially student rentals, involve the theft of personal property. Most thefts do not involve forced entry but are crimes of opportunity. Here are some useful safety tips that may save you from falling victim to crime:

1. Keep your doors and at least your first floor and basement windows locked, especially if no one is home.

2. Check to see who is knocking before telling them to “Come on in!”

3. Be aware of all visitors in your home. Do not let anyone in your home you do not know. Even if you are having a party, try to limit your guest list to only close personal friends.

4. Never give anyone, aside from your roommates, your schedule as to when you will or will not be home.

5. If you have a large window on your front door, cover it with a curtain.

6. Make sure you pick up all advertisements from the front yard or on the front porch. An accumulation of them can give the appearance that no one is home.

7. Get to know your neighbors. Not only will you gain new friends, but you will also get the added bonus of additional people looking out for you and your property, especially when you are away.

8. Do not leave ladders or other items someone could climb on laying around outside the house.

9. If you have an alarm system, use it.

10. Have security lights installed, and replace bad bulbs as needed.

11. Have all broken doors and windows repaired.

12. If a set of keys comes up missing have the lock replaced.

13. Keep bushes, shrubs, and trees trimmed back so they do not block windows.

14. Make every effort so it appears someone is home, even when they are not. Leave a light and a radio or TV on in the house.

15. Buy timers for lights in your house so you are not coming home to a dark house at the end of the day.

Unlike University residence halls, students who live off campus have to take a number of extra steps to protect their property when you go home over break. Some things to remember:

1. When going home for the holiday, take your valuables with you.

2. Try to leave a car in the driveway.

3. Be sure to put at least one light on a timer, so it looks like someone is home.

4. Keep all blinds and curtains closed.

5. Notify your local police department so they can keep a watch on your home.

6. Try to have someone stay at your place over the holidays, or at least provide them with a key, and ask them to check the house every few days.

7. Have someone stop by each day to take in your mail, newspaper, advertising circulars, etc.

8. Have someone move your car(s) around every couple of days to make it appear someone's home.

9. Have someone shovel the snow if necessary.

10. Contact the post office to put mail on hold when out of town.

11. Make sure all second story windows are locked.

12. If you know your neighbors, asks them to keep an eye on things.