The University campus and surrounding areas are often the scene of burglaries, and the Baton Rouge Police Department says the frequency of incidents will increase when summer begins.
According to BRPD maps and statistics, the department has dealt with more than 40 residential and vehicle burglaries in District 2, which includes the University, in the past few weeks.
Sgt. Don Stone, BRPD spokesman, said he advises students to get to know neighbors, ask them to keep a watchful eye on their residence and leave valuable items with a friend before leaving an apartment or house for the summer.
“We do see an increase when kids are out of school,” Stone said.
Stone said the crime is considered burglary when something is stolen from an “enclosed structure.”
Stone advises students to take precautions, especially if there will be “no traffic in the home.”
Stone said a good way to prevent residential burglary both now and during the summer is to get to know neighbors and look for suspicious activity around the neighborhood.
“So many people today don’t know their neighbors,” Stone said.
Sofia Miranda, petroleum engineering freshman, said she has discussed possible precautions for her empty residence this summer with her roommate.
Miranda said her friend’s unit at Burbank Commons was robbed a few weeks ago, which sparked the idea of possibly having a friend check on her home during the summer or leaving a light on.
Monique Giarrusso, kinesiology freshman, said she lives at Brightside Estates and has heard about burglaries in first-floor units. She said the unit she lives in dealt with a burglary before she moved in.
“We always lock the door when we are there and when we leave,” Giarrusso said.
Sgt. S. Scheivert, patrol officer at the Highland Road Station, said 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the most common time for burglaries because criminals aren’t likely to encounter other people.
Scheivert said burglary is a “city-wide problem” and offered advice on ways people can protect their belongings.
“At night, leave a couple of lights on outside and inside,” Scheivert said.
Scheivert also said keeping curtains closed and foliage trimmed will deter prowlers.
Scheivert said it’s important to be aware of where valuable items are kept, especially to deter vehicle burglars.
“A smart thing is to not leave things in plain view,” Scheivert said.
Scheivert said valuable items in a car should be removed or secured in the trunk.
Stone said students leave laptops, books, GPS navigation systems and other valuable items in their cars, which attracts burglars.
Giarrusso said she has a hiding place for all her valuable items in her car. She puts her sunglasses in the glove box, laptop under the seat and iPod in the center console.
Stone said vehicle burglary is common in areas around the University because parking lots attract criminal activity.
“Burglars prey on parking lots,” Stone said.
Stone said criminals walk around parking lots checking for unlocked cars.
“So many of the burglaries we investigate in the area, the cars aren’t locked,” Stone said.
 
—-
Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]