Do yourself a favor: Lock your doors, close your blinds
John Larsen
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
By John Larsen
Online Editor
A recent string of break-ins and thefts has prompted NDNU Public Safety to remind students about the safety of locking their doors.
The flyer, posted on residence hall doors, states that over the semester there has been "an increase in thefts from student rooms."
This reminder is directly related to a recent attempted break-in at Cuvilly Hall, which resulted in nothing being stolen, but also pertains to a string of burglaries reported to Public Safety in September.
According to Public Safety, the September incident resulted in several items stolen from student rooms, including two cameras and more than $100 from various students. Around that same time, a report was made to Public Safety concerning a botched break-in at the apartments.
"A person keyed into a room using a set of supervisor's keys," said Chief of Public Safety Dave Mefford, a set of keys that he was not authorized to have.
However, the break-in was foiled by the student who was in the room at the time.
"(The intruder) apologized and left," says Mefford, but the student, "called me right after."
The intruder, an employee of the custodial company that NDNU uses, was then asked to leave the school and told that if he were ever to come back, he would be arrested for trespassing.
"The company was very good about it," said Mefford. "They responded immediately. I don't think he works for them anymore."
He also stressed that the incident was in no way related to the current custodial company.
The intrusion did happen on the same weekend during which the thefts were carried out. However, according to Mefford, "We have no conclusive proof that this was the same person."
He isn't exactly surprised, however.
"Near the holidays, the amount of thefts rise," Mefford said. "It isn't just on schools, but universities make good targets."
He also says that this has been a trend in past years.
"We're on higher alert and we're making extra patrols through residence halls and buildings."
However, the important thing said Mefford, is that "students lock their doors. These people are in and out; they know what they're looking for."
He also stressed that in any of the thefts "there were no forced entries. The rooms were either unlocked or the person had a key."
Public Safety urges students to contact them if they see suspicious activity or people who they do not recognize in resident areas.
Online Editor
A recent string of break-ins and thefts has prompted NDNU Public Safety to remind students about the safety of locking their doors.
The flyer, posted on residence hall doors, states that over the semester there has been "an increase in thefts from student rooms."
This reminder is directly related to a recent attempted break-in at Cuvilly Hall, which resulted in nothing being stolen, but also pertains to a string of burglaries reported to Public Safety in September.
According to Public Safety, the September incident resulted in several items stolen from student rooms, including two cameras and more than $100 from various students. Around that same time, a report was made to Public Safety concerning a botched break-in at the apartments.
"A person keyed into a room using a set of supervisor's keys," said Chief of Public Safety Dave Mefford, a set of keys that he was not authorized to have.
However, the break-in was foiled by the student who was in the room at the time.
"(The intruder) apologized and left," says Mefford, but the student, "called me right after."
The intruder, an employee of the custodial company that NDNU uses, was then asked to leave the school and told that if he were ever to come back, he would be arrested for trespassing.
"The company was very good about it," said Mefford. "They responded immediately. I don't think he works for them anymore."
He also stressed that the incident was in no way related to the current custodial company.
The intrusion did happen on the same weekend during which the thefts were carried out. However, according to Mefford, "We have no conclusive proof that this was the same person."
He isn't exactly surprised, however.
"Near the holidays, the amount of thefts rise," Mefford said. "It isn't just on schools, but universities make good targets."
He also says that this has been a trend in past years.
"We're on higher alert and we're making extra patrols through residence halls and buildings."
However, the important thing said Mefford, is that "students lock their doors. These people are in and out; they know what they're looking for."
He also stressed that in any of the thefts "there were no forced entries. The rooms were either unlocked or the person had a key."
Public Safety urges students to contact them if they see suspicious activity or people who they do not recognize in resident areas.
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