BPD gets ready for holiday break-ins

When students' minds are concentrating on second helpings and football games, thieves might be helping themselves to TVs, Playstations and computers from student residences.\nDuring the 2002 Thanksgiving break, more than 40 break-ins were reported to the Bloomington Police Department.\nLike previous years, BPD plans to add extra patrols around apartment complexes and student residential areas.\n"Instead of just driving by like we normally do, we try to go through the parking lots and look for anyone who doesn't look like they belong," said BPD Sgt. Alan Pointer. "This time of year when many people are gone, it's easier to see who doesn't belong because anyone who is in the parking lots and buildings kind of stands out."\nThere are also some basic steps students can take to protect their belongings. The primary things to do are leave lights on timers and hide valuables.\n"Thieves don't break into any random house. They have to see something they are interested in," Pointer said.\nPointer added that if there is someone you trust in your apartment complex, have him or her keep an eye on your place, but be wary.\n"Don't advertise it that you're going to be gone to everyone. Those people you trust might just be the people who get into your apartment," he said.\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said dorm residents, especially people who live on the ground floor, should keep their drapes closed so theives can't peer into windows. He also recommended students take with them any high-price items, such as laptops and stereos.\nIf a break-in does occur, State Farm Insurance Agent Lisa Allen says don't worry too much. She said a student's stolen property is generally covered by their parents' homeowner's insurance, as long as the student is still claimed as a dependent on his or her parents' tax returns.\nEven before a theft occurs, there are some things students can do to guarantee they will be reimbursed for lost property. First, make sure to have pictures of any valuables in an off-premise location, such as with your parents, to show ownership, Allen said.\nAlso, keep receipts of purchases and have unique or expensive items appraised. Both tips provide proof of ownership and value. Put these receipts and appraisal values off-premise with the pictures to guarantee they are safe in case of an emergency.\nPointer recommended students get serial and model numbers off their property. When thieves steal property, they rarely have a personal use for it, so they pawn it. When looking through pawn stores for lost property, the only way to get it back is to have proof of the serial and model numbers. Otherwise, Pointer said, the chances of getting property back are slim to none.\nJunior Heather Majors has already made a list of her valuables and has taken pictures to document her property, but she's not apprehensive about a break-in at her off-campus house.\n"I'm not really worried about our house being bothered while my roommates and I are gone," Majors said.\nStill, she is taking her jewelry, CDs and DVDs home, just in case.\n"It doesn't hurt to be overprotective," she said. "You never know what's going to happen. I guess we'll just have to lock our doors and hope for the best."\n-- Contact staff reporter Julia Blanford at jblanfor@indiana.edu.