Preventing burglary over break

As many IU students leave the area to head home for winter break, the crime rate increases. \nAreas where students live are more vulnerable to burglary because people know that most students are not in town.\n"It's not all due to the students leaving. It is also due to the fact that people want Christmas presents and money to buy presents," Sergeant David Drake, an officer with Bloomington Police Department, said. "Therefore they're more prone to committing acts of theft." \nThe thought of protecting one's home does not even cross the minds of some students -- they have other concerns. \n"I'm more afraid of a fire or some disaster in my house than someone breaking in and stealing my stuff," said junior Sol Elta. \nBut it is something to be aware of. BPD has advice for students who desire to take precautions. \n"Make yourself a less inviting target by making it look like someone there's someone there. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they won't go in if they think someone is home," Drake said. \nBurglars look for unlocked doors and places where it is obvious no one is home. Newspapers piled up or valuables in plain sight are an invitation for burglars to break in. Prevention can be as simple as locking the doors. A surprising amount of people do not do this, Drake said.\nShort of getting an alarm system, students can take some simple steps to help protect their home. \nAmerican District Telegraph Security Services has a variety of tips. Some obvious ones to prevent enticing burglars include locking all doors and windows, not letting newspapers pile up and having someone collect your mail. \nADT also suggests recording "not available" on answering machine, instead of saying "not home." \nA neighbor's help can be important. BPD recommends alerting friends and neighbors to look out for suspicious people. The police also patrol a house more carefully and frequently if put on a vacation list. BPD runs extra patrols during the holidays.\nLeaving lights on or setting them to a timer can also be a good idea while away. If students are concerned they can always take valuables home with them. \n"You want to have signs of activity in your place of residence," said Bamon Shake, a senior electronic technician at Radian Guaranty Inc. "If people know someone is coming in and out they won't come in."\nIn addition, the most common time of day for burglaries is between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. when people are working or at class. Aside from locking doors, adding a deadbolt is beneficial.\n For those who are extremely concerned, some security companies can install relatively inexpensive wireless systems.\n "If one place has (a security system) and the next place doesn't, it would be a strange bird who would intentionally pick (a home) that had (security)," said Jack Slaybaugh, a security consultant at Central Security and Communications.\nIn case of theft, taking early precautions can aid in returning belongings. Drake recommends marking valuable items with an identifiable number. \nSophomore Lisa Benjamin said students do not need to have money or much time to ensure the safety of their items -- they just need common sense. \n"If something does happen to you you'll be much better off in the end by taking a little extra time to take precautions," she said.