Student-area break and enters real cause for concern

A recent trend of residential break and enters is of particular concern to students in London. According to a media release sent out by the London Police Service, there have been numerous break and enters in areas mainly occupied by students, including the area around the University of Western Ontario as well as neighbourhoods near Fanshawe College.

According to Fanshawe's Security Supervisor Bob Earle, the only specific pattern of these break and enters is that they are occurring in student areas and involve patio doors. “They're cutting the screen out of the patio doors and entering that way. What's happening is that the victims are securing their sliding screen door but not the glass door behind it, so (the thieves) just cut open the screen, reach in, slide the door across and they're in.” Earle highlighted that there is also no particular time of day when these incidents are occurring.

The London Police Service media release emphasized that the offender(s) have entered houses while occupants were home, and are mainly stealing electronics such as laptops and cell phones.

Public Information Officer, Dennis Rivest, of the London Police Services called these break and enters crimes of opportunity. “A lot of the residences being broken into are being broken into because students aren't locking their doors.”

Both Earle and the Rivest urge students to lock their windows and doors, regardless of whether or not they are home. Earle even suggested taking it one step further by getting a rod or stick to put in the track of sliding patio doors to further deter any break-ins.

Rivest described a few things that students could do to protect themselves other than just locking doors and windows. He encouraged students to look into getting insurance their property and write down serial numbers on items such as phones and computers. Rivest also discussed students who have many people living in their house. “Make sure that each one of you residing in that residence has your own key,” in order to avoid having to leave the door unlocked for another roommate. For any students who will be leaving their home unattended over the holiday season, Rivest suggested getting a friend or neighbour who will be staying in the city to check on your home while you're away.

If you suspect that someone has entered your house while you're home, Earle suggested leaving immediately, going to a neighbour's house and calling the police. He offered similar advice for anyone who comes home to find their house has been forcibly entered, cautioning that someone may still be in the house so it is vital that the police are called before entering the house. “Don't feel like you're interrupting the police or inconveniencing them because your safety is paramount and that's what they're there for,” said Earle.

If your home has been broken into, or if you see a person in your neighbourhood who seems out of place or is acting suspiciously, call 911. For help with break and enter prevention, review Project Safeguard, a program implemented by the London Police to help people secure their homes, at tinyurl.com/LPSprojectsafeguard.

If you have any information regarding the break and enters, call the London Police Service at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also been sent in online anonymously at londoncrimestoppers.com.