Safety precautions important for students in off-campus housing

In 2003, there were 195 burglaries and break-ins in Harrisonburg. To date in 2004, there have been 258, according to Sgt. Shane Brown who works for the Crime Prevention Unit of the Harrisonburg Police.

There are several tips students living off campus should follow to prevent break-ins and burglaries during Winter Break.

"The most important thing is to make the house look lived in," said junior Heather Forrester from the Office of Off-Campus Life. "Leaving a light on in the common area or using a timer is a good idea." A timer turns an appliance on and off at certain intervals.

Forrester also stressed the importance of checking smoke alarms before leaving and unplugging electrical equipment to prevent a fire.

Students with apartments on ground floors should close their blinds to prevent people from looking in, and everyone should make sure all doors and windows are locked, Forrester added.

Forrester also said that students should take computers and other valuables home with them. Valuables left behind should be inventoried.

JMU Police Chief Lee Shifflett suggested recording serial numbers and taking photos of valuables left behind.

It may be important to know if a complex changes the locks and locking mechanisms each year, Shifflett added.

"I would ensure that the sliding glass door has a wedge or other device in the track to ensure that it locks properly," Shifflett said. He also suggested stopping mail and newspaper delivery.

Shifflett said students who do not live in traditional college housing should get to know their neighbors.
Brown said that the most important thing is to use "a good common-sense approach" before leaving for home.

"Make sure everything is locked up before you leave, and take anything you care about home with you," Brown said.

"We try to step up patrols especially during college vacations," Brown said. He said that with the increasing number of housing developments for college students, it gets harder each year to patrol.

Brown also said that although there are foot patrols making sure doors and windows are secure, patrols usually are based on manpower and calls for service.

Heather Forrester said that OCL has posted flyers with suggestions on buses unclear and further questions can be directed to the OCL office.