A full parking lot at a college campus is prime hunting ground for thieves. The number of car break-ins on the Moorpark College campus have increased from just two a year to five in the two week period of June 23 to July 8 with another break-in on Aug. 25.
Lt. Steve Kegley of the Moorpark College Campus Police believes that it is most likely that the break-ins that occurred during the summer semester were done by the same person or group of people, but it is too hard to say if the most recent one on Aug. 25 was the same perpetrator.
“It’s a big campus and there are a lot of kids,” said Kegley. “The campus police presence is a good deterrent but when you have so many students it’s hard to find. We do look for things and suspicious behavior like people without bags hanging around the parking lot.”
With a sudden increase in car break-ins, Kegley feels that it is very important that students be extra cautious with their valuables.
“The biggest thing is to not leave anything of value in the car,” said Kegley. “90% of the the time they don’t hope to find something in the car. They see and know something is in the car.”
Kegley suggests not having any wires or cables that could lead to an iPod or laptop visible from the outside of the car. He also recommends carrying your backpack or purse with you or putting it in your trunk.
“Putting your purse underneath your seat isn’t enough,” said Kegley. “You’ll still be able to see it.”
If it’s a hot day, rolling your windows down a little bit is not a good idea according to Kegley. The thief will be able to get in the car easily.
Keeping the inside of your car neat and clean will also help you avoid a break-in.
“Some of the kids are not the neatest kids in the world and have shirts lying around that could be hiding valuable things,” he said.
All of the break-ins have occurred between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the peak traffic hours on campus and when the parking lots are full. Kegley suggests that students be aware of where they put their valuables during this time.
“I’m not too worried,” said Logan Franken, 19, an English major at Moorpark College. “I mean why would you leave your laptop in your car? It’s just common sense.”
While Moorpark College is experiencing an increase of break-ins the other two campuses at Ventura and Oxnard have gotten fewer reports of car break-ins. There’s only been three break-ins so far in Oxnard for the year 2008 and Ventura has gotten fewer reports than last semester.
“Crooks will work an area and move on,” said Officer Elizabeth Dille of the Oxnard College Campus Police.
With the record number of students filling the parking lots, it is important to be careful now more than ever.
“Most crimes are crimes of opportunity,” said Kegley. “They are opportunists. If the opportunity is there, they are going to take it.”
