A Department of Public Safety lieutenant said DPS officers saw less crime on campus during winter break compared with past winter breaks.
“Considering it was a four-week break, it was pretty light,” Lt. Herb Horner said.
He didn’t know the cause of the decrease but said officers on patrol helped prevent crime during the break.
“I know that a lot of the reason is that the officers are visibly out there all the time patrolling,” Horner said. “People – after they’ve been contacted enough times – know that that’s what’s going to happen. If they come to campus, they’re going to be contacted. They’ll tend to go someplace else.”
When school isn’t in session, thieves often take note and are on the prowl.
“Anytime there is a high number of people in an area gone, there’s the potential for crime to go up,” Eugene police spokeswoman Jenna LaBounty said.
DPS officers paid special attention to people on campus late at night or early in the morning, Horner said.
“It’s one thing for people to walk through campus, but it’s another when we find them in and around residence halls and in buildings,” Horner said. “There’s so few people here that it makes it easier to pick up on those who are really out of place.”
Eugene police received more citizen-based calls of suspicious activity during winter break, LaBounty said. The general public is aware when school isn’t in session and reports anything unusual.
Both DPS and EPD expected calls regarding thefts this week because students realize a possession was taken during break. DPS, however, has only received a couple of bike theft reports, Horner said.
Although class isn’t in session on Monday, Horner said he doesn’t expect more criminal activity because constant traffic will deter thieves.
If students decide to leave their homes Monday, LaBounty offered this: “As usual, we recommend to put your lights on timers, and let your trustworthy neighbors know you’re going to be away so that if they see any activity, they can call and report it so we can check it out.”
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