In response to burglaries over Thanksgiving break, Associated Student Government (ASG) has sent a list of ways to protect students' houses to all students living off campus.
Over Thanksgiving break several burglaries were reported in off-campus student residences. Coordinator of Off-Campus Affairs Bobbe Burke said she thinks burglaries occur off campus over breaks because student houses are easy targets, with people living in Oxford and surrounding areas aware that students will most likely be going home.
Burglaries also occur over breaks because students do not take safety precautions when leaving their residences unattended for several days, according to Burke.
"For a lot of students living off campus this is the first time they are in charge of their own place and taking the preventative measures necessary when they leave it, so I don't think many of them give much thought to taking safety precautions when they go away," Burke said.
Sophomore Melanie O'Neil said she agrees that she does not usually think about safety precautions beyond locking doors and windows.
"When we leave our house for breaks we make sure all of the doors and windows are locked as well as leaving the blinds down and half open," O'Neil said.
However, the recent break-ins have caused her to reconsider the safety precautions she takes when she prepares to leave on future breaks, she said.
"The break-ins have me really concerned and they are making my housemates and I more conscious of our surroundings," O'Neil said.
In response to the break-ins over Thanksgiving break, ASG's Secretary for Off-Campus Affairs junior Ari Frum sent out a message Tuesday morning to all students who live off campus via the ASG Off-Campus listserv. According to Frum, the message includes a list of several important tips to remember when students leave their residences over breaks.
The list includes tips for parking over breaks, as well as making a house or apartment look as lived in as possible.
"It is important for students to follow these suggestions, which if not followed could result in vandalism, damage of property or fines and repair costs," Frum said.
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Both Burke and Frum emphasized the importance of considering the suggestion from the list that encourages all off campus students to fill out a Vacant House Card which will let the Oxford Police and the Miami University Police know that a house will be unoccupied.
Frum suggests students designate a last person to leave to make sure all doors and windows are locked and window curtains and shades are closed.
Frum also stressed the importance of protecting valuables.
"Secure all valuables," he said. "If it is possible, take them home. If not, move them into a room where they are not visible and then lock that door if possible."
Burke and Frum both said another important tip to remember from the list is keeping the heat turned on in order to keep the pipes from freezing and bursting.
The list also includes instructions for parking over breaks including where to park and how to obtain a temporary parking pass. The list reminds students that they should not leave their cars parked on any Oxford street, and that all vehicles with a valid Miami University parking pass can park at Ditmer Lot.
Some other suggestions on the list include suspending mail and newspaper delivery, not leaving trash cans on the curb and setting timers on inside lights.
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