Protecting Yourself From UH Campus Thieves
Now you see it, now you don’t! This witty catchphrase has become a reality for the students involved in the 22 armed and unarmed burglaries that has taken place this semester alone according to the University of Houston Police Departments’s online Daily Crime Log. The UH Alerts email subscription notifies students every time there is a major incident on campus. The recent influx of theft related incidences sparked concerns among faculty and students. “That’s crazy, says first-year student, Collins Fredrick. I can’t believe something like that actually happened on this campus — like the school I go to.” Fredrick is a nutrition student who spends a large chunk of his day chilling in his dorm at the Bayou Oaks Residence. He says that he has always felt safe in his dorm, as he has no reason to feel otherwise. That it, until January 15 when UHPD notified students through UH Alerts that there was an armed burglary of a motor vehicle in the parking lot of the Bayou Oaks Residence. “I was shook, says Fredrick. I’m never walking to my car alone ever again.”
The University of Houston has over 45,000 students enrolled at it’s main campus, and parking can sometimes become a hassle. With over six student parking zones along with parking reserved for faculty and staff, parking space takes up nearly half the UH surface area. On the 14th, 16th, 18th and 23rd of January, UHPD filed motor vehicle theft reports that occurred in various parking zones. Even cars parked in the garages fell victim to these burglaries. This greatly alarmed students who commute and frequently walk to and from these lots. First year student Shireen Enam says, “They robbed a car at the welcome center? Oh my God that’s where I park.” She then continued on to explain how she leaves later than most of her fiends that commute to campus and often walks to her car alone during late hours. “Never again” she says.
The University of Houston Police department is stressing now more than ever the importance of campus safety. Keep an eye on belongings at all times. This is important to know especially in open spaces such as study lounges that students usually hang out. A common mistakes that many students make is leaving their valuables in class while stepping out for a few minutes. It is never a good idea to leave valuables unattended even for a few minutes. Also, during late hours it is not a good idea to walk around campus by yourself. Doing so makes you an easy targets for people with bad intentions. Always walk with a friend or catch a ride with one of the UH golf carts. They are always available to take you to and from your car and are free for UH students. It is important to know all the resources that your campus provides four the protection of students, such as the outdoor warning system and others as well. Stay informed, Stay safe!
