With spring break quickly approaching, students are in the process of finishing up midterms, packing for their vacations and finalizing travel plans. Many on campus say they are excited as they look forward to a variety of activities from cruise vacations and time at home with family and friends to programs abroad through IU or elsewhere.
However, when students take their hiatus from Bloomington, a window of opportunity opens for burglars and thieves. Vacant houses, especially those that are unlocked, appeal to burglars. In fact, according to Bloomington Police Department’s Lock It or Lose It campaign, nearly 30 percent of all burglaries in 2015 were due to unlocked residences.
IU Police Department Capt. Andy Stephenson said during breaks IUPD collaborates closely with BPD to provide extra surveillance and attention to houses, especially close to campus.
Before leaving town for spring break, IUPD recommends preparing one’s house to look as lived in and lively as possible, even if the house is entirely empty, according to the Protect IU website.
Some of the tips the department recommends include asking a trusted friend or neighbor staying in Bloomington to keep an eye on your house for you; leaving a low-electricity light on in the living room to make it appear someone is still in the house; keeping a car, either your own, a friend’s or a neighbor’s, parked in front of your house; and making sure all doors and windows are locked and curtains are closed so burglars can’t window shop in your home.
