Students received report cards on their first day back to school this semester for an unexpected course: Auto Burglary 101.
The University Police handed out grades this past Monday and Tuesday in commencement of the 2008 Vehicle Burglary Initiative, a new program aimed at preventing vehicle burglary. Students received passing or failing grades on a report card left on their windshield based on the vehicle's susceptibility to burglary. The grade is influenced by leaving valuable property in sight, for example, or leaving a window open.
"We want to saturate our community with information to be aware and safe," said Wayne Colton, Community Liaison Officer for the University Police.
The program was prompted by an increase of vehicle larceny last year on South Campus, with 27 cases reported.
"There were 11 break-ins in December," Colton said. "That was the initiative for the program."
The vast majority of these break-ins took place in Sherman Lot, Michael-Farber Lot and Main-Bailey Lot, all of which are situated on the outskirts of the campus and provide a quick escape for thieves, according to Colton.
"They're going to take anything of value and anything that can be sold quickly," Colton said.
Students are strongly encouraged not to leave valuable items in plain view in their cars, taking special care to secure GPS devices, cell phones and iPods. Textbooks and briefcases should also be stowed away.
"A crime needs three elements to happen: opportunity, ability, and desire," Colton said. "If you can eliminate one of those elements, then you have prevented a crime from happening."
