While students leave Blacksburg for the holiday, crime does not. Property is left more susceptible to burglary if proper precautions are not taken. Blacksburg police officer Sgt. Nathan O'Dell said burglaries of student property do rise during long holidays.
"Our local criminals do know when students leave," O'Dell said. "We do see an increase in reporting of burglary or robbery during extended breaks."
However, Blacksburg police also offer ways to deter criminals from damaging students' property while they are away.
One such way is the Vacation House Check program.
O'Dell said residents can call and leave their address and an emergency contact number and police will check on their property. The department will carry out two checks per week.
The Vacation House Check program provides individual attention to properties, but Blacksburg police will also patrol major apartment complexes in an attempt to deter holiday crime.
"We'll put officers in unmarked vehicles," O'Dell said. "They'll be doing nothing but going around, checking on the larger apartment complexes around the area."
O'Dell said residents can take simple precautions to lessen the likelihood of coming back to a burglarized apartment.
"We recommend taking time to lock your doors," O'Dell said. "Lock your windows."
O'Dell said windows are a frequently overlooked mode of entry for criminals. He also recommended wedging windows shut, even after locking them.
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You know what else the police will do? If you find your apartment broken into, they'll come and do a routine check and then say "Well...it looks like you've been broken into." Then you will respond with a exaggerated rolling of the eyes and a sigh. Then Barney Fife will look at either kicked in door or broken window and deduce that the burgler entered your apartment through those entrances. Your eyes will again roll back even further and a your sigh has now turned into a groan. The officer will then look at the window and notice finger prints but will tell you that they look "kinda smudged" and he will ask you begrudingly if you would like him to get out his fingerprint kit and record them. BUT before you can answer he will tell you that it's kind of messy and that he doesnt know if he can get a clean print. You'll take the hint and say thanks for your trouble. Nothing will come of it and the police will ask you to monitor craigslist, ebay, and the local pawn shops.
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