The Department of Public Safety is offering its Vacant House Watch Program for the 22nd year. According to Capt. Russ Shaw, associate director of DPS, students who sign up for the program have their residences checked by DPS officers at least three times daily during regular patrols.,”Don't let the stress of final exams overshadow the importance of maintaining a secure house or apartment over break.
The Department of Public Safety is offering its Vacant House Watch Program for the 22nd year. According to Capt. Russ Shaw, associate director of DPS, students who sign up for the program have their residences checked by DPS officers at least three times daily during regular patrols.
Sue Cooper, DPS crime prevention officer, said even students who aren't planning on being gone for the entire break can still register. Students may also register if they will be the only one home and would like an added sense of security, she said.
In addition to the Vacant House Watch Program, DPS also suggests several simple steps students can take to help better protect their homes.
These tips include taking home items commonly taken during burglaries, such as laptops, CDs and jewelry and engraving driver's license numbers on valuables left behind. Cooper also said that although it sounds like a no-brainer, it is important to lock all doors, and not just the main entrance.
"Another thing we find students don't commonly do is stop their mail or paper delivery when they leave for break," Cooper said. "Nothing says 'I'm not home' like a packed mailbox or a huge stack of newspapers."
A good sense of holiday cheer could also be dampened if damage occurs to one's residence during break.
Ken Schmidt, coordinator of Facilities Services for the Office of Residence Life, warned students to not turn off their heat so their pipes don't freeze.
"Make sure you turn your thermostat down, but I wouldn't turn it any lower than about 55 degrees," Schmidt said.
Students can register for the Vacant House Watch Program at www.marquette.edu/dept/dps or obtain a form at the Public Safety Office located in the 16th Street Parking Structure. All forms must be submitted to DPS by Dec. 20.
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