University students and residents of The Venue at North Gate learned valuable safety tips Wednesday night in the community’s first Neighborhood Watch meeting.
The meeting, held in the common room of The Venue, consisted of an informational session with Baton Rouge Police Department Maj. Ernie Brewer and a round table-styled discussion period.
This is The Venue’s first attempt at a neighborhood watch, according to Brewer. All three Campus Crossings complexes will participate.
“We wanted to start this watch to make everyone aware of their surroundings,” said Marvin Smith, leasing manager of The Venue. “The crime rate is increasing in the Baton Rouge area.”
Brewer, who is also the on-site security officer, told residents how to stay safe in and around the North Gate neighborhood.
“We’re right next to a very bad area — just one block that way,” he said, pointing north.
Brewer passed around information packets highlighting “basic street sense” and home security measures such as remaining alert at all times and locking doors.
Brewer placed emphasis on locking doors, as the complex has experienced multiple burglaries as a result of unlocked apartments and cars.
Peter Mella, business freshman and Venue resident, said his laptop was stolen from his apartment last week. Mella said he was asleep in the unlocked apartment when the computer was stolen from his living room.
Mella encountered a man attempting to break into his apartment Tuesday. He said he was in the room when he heard the door knob jiggle. He ran to the door and saw a man walking away from the area.
“I ran inside to grab my cellphone, but when I came back, he was gone,” Mella said.
Chuck Doss, Venue maintenance supervisor, said break-ins happen sporadically.
“It’s a problem, and we want to correct the issue,” Doss said.
Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman, said watch groups are effective.
“There is crime around all areas of campus,” Tabor said. “Anything done to identify and solve crime is great.” 
 
 
 
_____
contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]