Crimes Against Property

Bicycle Theft

Though crime may not be prevalent on Trinity's campus, it does indeed exist.  One particular area that Security Services is regularly notified of is missing bicycles on campus.

Here are steps you can take to deter bicycle theft, and if it does occur, to help in the possible recovery of your bicycle.

1. Lock your bicycle. Trinity has provided bicycle racks near each building on campus. When you ride your bicycle anywhere, always take the necessary time to lock your bicycle to the appropriate racks. Always secure your lock through the frame as well as both wheels. Make sure that your lock is adequate for the task. Bike thieves often check out bike racks, looking for "bargains," the best bike with the cheapest looking lock. See the August 1994 issue of Bicycling magazine for a discussion on bicycle locks and bicycle security.
2. Register your bicycle. Trinity provides registration stickers for bicycle free of charge. Faculty, staff, commuters, and college students living on-campus may register their bicycles with Security Services at registration or by stopping at the Security Office during normal business hours. All other residential students may register their bicycles by stopping by the housing office during normal business hours. If your bicycle is registered, then stolen and recovered, Security will know you are the owner and can return the bike to you.
3. Record the serial number of your bicycle. If your bicycle is stolen, report the theft to Security Services and the police, and give them the serial number. If the bicycle is recovered, it can then be returned to you.

Textbook Theft

In recent years, Trinity students have been the targets for thieves who steal textbooks in order to sell them back. They may also be in search of other valuables students leave in their book bags. Here are some steps you can take to prevent this.

1. Always put your name in your book. This will be very helpful if your book is misplaced.
2. Avoid leaving your books unattended, including in the library and on the racks by the dining halls.

Protecting Your vehicle

Vehicles in parking lots always present a target for thieves. Here are some steps you can take to diminish the chance that your car will be broken into or stolen.

1. Lock your car whenever it is unattended, both on and off campus.
2. Do not leave expensive property, such as CDs, purses, radar detectors, cellular phones, and portable stereos in plain view in your car. Lock them in your trunk, or take them into your residence. Cover up conspicuous stereo equipment. Remember that thieves target after-market stereo equipment, not factory-installed equipment.
3. If you have expensive stereo equipment in your car, consider investing in a car alarm. If you have a car alarm, turn it on.
4. Record the brand, model numbers, and serial numbers of all electronic equipment installed in your car. In the event of theft, give this information to the police. If the equipment is recovered it can then be returned to you. Also engrave your driver's license number on this equipment.
5. If you live off campus, make every attempt to park your car off the street, if possible. If not, park in a well lit area.
6. Engrave your Vehicle Identification Number (found on your registration or under the windshield on the driver's side) on the doors, windows, fenders, and trunk lids of your car. This will prevent theft, because the thief will need to replace these parts before selling the car.
7. Use a steering wheel lock when your car is parked. While these devices can be defeated, a thief may decide it's not worth the effort.

Protecting Your Residence

You can take several steps to protect the belongings that you have in your residence. If you live in a residence hall, these steps are as follows:

1. The majority of thefts that occur in dorm rooms and apartments happen when the residents are not in but the door is unlocked. Lock the door to your room whenever you leave, even if it is just for a few minutes. Also, lock your door when you will be showering or sleeping. If you live on the ground floor, lock your windows. If you discover that your door or window does not lock, contact your RA or ARA to have a work request submitted to maintenance.
2. Don't leave exterior doors or inner lobby doors propped open when they should be closed. If you find one open, close it.
3. Never admit strangers into secured buildings.
4. Record the serial numbers of valuable objects you have in your room. Engrave such objects with your driver's license number.
5. Do not leave cash, credit cards, or checks in unlocked desks or cabinets.
6.  Mark clothes with a laundry pen or thread and needle in a spot other than the label.

If you see a suspicious person, notify Security Services immediately by calling x6400. Be prepared to give a description of the person and to describe where you last saw the person and the direction in which he or she was headed, if applicable.

If you live off campus, take the following steps to protect your valuables:

1. Lock the doors and windows to your residence whenever you are away and when you are in your residence and may not hear someone enter, such as when you are sleeping. If you have a sliding glass door, secure it further by placing a length of wood in the track on the floor to stop it from opening.
2. If your doors do not already have a deadbolt, talk to your landlord about getting one.
3. Do not leave valuables and expensive equipment in plain view from the outside.
4. When you are away from your residence, leave your interior lights on. Use a timer if you will be gone for more than one day.
5. If there is a Neighborhood Watch in your area, join it. This organization will be able to keep you up-to-date on criminal activity in your area.
6. If you will be gone for several days, inform a neighbor you can trust. Stop delivery of your mail and newspaper. Use light timers in several rooms.
7. Record the serial numbers of all your valuables. Engrave your valuables with your driver's license number.
8. If you have an answering machine, don't leave a message that indicates you are away from home. Simply state that you are unavailable.
9. Use outside lights at each entrance to your residence. Make sure the lights are turned off during the day.
10. If you see a suspicious person, notify the local police. You can reach the police by calling 911 from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. Be prepared to give a description of the person and to describe where you last saw the person and the direction in which he or she was headed at the time.
11. If you do arrive home to find that your residence has been broken into, do not enter, but go to a public phone or neighbor's house to call the police.

No method of crime prevention is guaranteed to work 100% of the time. However, in taking these steps, you are denying opportunities to would-be criminals, and you will be less likely to find yourself a victim. Be smart. Learn these steps, and make them a habit.