Evanston Police say the recent string of robberies from off-campus student residences is partly a result of the usual level of activity surrounding students’ return to campus.

“With the transition of people moving in and out, (burglaries) are not uncommon at this time of year,” said Deputy Chief Joseph Bellino of Evanston Police Department. “There’s confusion on who locked up, who didn’t, who’s there, who isn’t. Some people just are not cognizant of the fact they should be locking things up.”

At least two apartments and one vehicle belonging to students have been burglarized this quarter, although Bellino said there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of muggings reported so far this year, in comparison to a rash of such crimes in Fall 2004.

“Fortunately, we haven’t had as many crimes against persons this year,” Bellino said. “The street robberies we had last year have decreased after we added resources to vulnerable areas.”

Burglaries surge any time people know there are empty residences, Bellino said, making the beginning of the school year and school vacations particularly vulnerable times.

“People know ‘commuter neighborhoods’ – areas where people commute from to school or work,” Bellino said. “They know there are unoccupied buildings and this makes them much easier targets.”

Evanston police try to increase their presence in those neighborhoods, Bellino said.

But there are many actions residents themselves can take to secure their apartments, such as locking the door every time they leave the apartment, having a secure deadbolt that requires a key from each side, not blindly buzzing in visitors, and keeping valuables out of sight.

“The best deterrent is to make it as time-consuming as possible to enter,” Bellino said. “It’s a crime of convenience if you can delay entry, they will give up quicker because they do not want to be detected.”

Bellino also recommended buying renter’s insurance and keeping a record of serial numbers on valuable items to increase the chance of stolen items being returned if they are found.

Dorm room burglaries can be prevented by locking the door every time you leave your room and by calling University Police if you see someone who does not belong or appear legitimate, said Asst. Chief Daniel McAleer of UP. He added that police “encourage students to make sure people they do not know use their own keys to enter the building.”

Second-year Communication graduate student Bonnie Lau said she feels safe inside Engelhart Hall, the graduate student dorm, because of the daytime security monitors and the locked front door.

At 1835 Hinman, dorm room doors lock automatically, a feature Weinberg freshman Elizabeth Freechack said made her feel more secure.

“I like it because I can be forgetful,” she said. “It’s easier to get locked out, but it keeps us safe.”

Reach Laura Olson at [email protected]