Student travelers are all over the globe during spring break, while other students choose to relax at home. Whatever your plans are this break, it’s important to makes sure that you come back to your belongings the way that you left them.
Since students tend to travel over spring break property crimes tend to rise.
According to Steven Chambers, Eugene police crime prevention specialist, burglaries are the main crime that increases in Eugene over spring break.
“It’s easy to over look a bathroom or a kitchen window, so really making sure that those windows are locked prior to leaving,” Chambers said.
Also according to Chambers, the West University and Kinsrow Commons areas are both hot spots for criminals to target during the break.
When traveling for the break, taking valuables with you is a good way cut down on crime.
Other than locking windows and doors to students residences “keeping blinds or curtains drawn when you’re not around and don’t have valuables in full display really cuts down on the incentive that criminals might have to go and take those things” Kelly McIver said, UOPD public information officer.
Vehicle break-in’s can be a daily occurrence for Eugene drivers but they also tend to spike over the break.
“Consider where you are parking, park in secure locations or monitored locations and highly lit areas that are well traveled by people” McIver said. Keeping items out of sight in vehicles is vital in avoiding crime. Instead throw valuables in the trunk or take them with you upon exiting the vehicle.
“We don’t see a lot of cases when people have kept their doors and windows locked and valuables out of sight,” Chambers said. Leaving cell phone or GPS cords in cars can also invite a criminal in and taking the time to remove all items out of the car is the best way to prevent crime, according to Chambers.
Criminals are looking for an opportunity, and act on the quickest route to success.
For McIver, making sure that you aren’t a victim this spring break “comes down to taking a few extra steps to make sure that you are not the target that day.”
There are tips for spring break safety that students can access on the UOPD website and the Eugene Police Department also have a Facebook and Twitter account for students to stay up to date on crimes in their areas. Find them at Eugene Police Crime Prevention and @epdcrimeprevent.