It’s an ice cold morning just a little after 1 a.m. on Dec. 26. University of Oregon senior Demiliza Saramosing and her sister are asleep. The two are awoken by the doorbell, but become startled by the sound of glass breaking. One moment there’s confusion, and the next, Saramosing is on the phone with Eugene Police Department reporting a burglary attempt.
“I was trembling and so scared when I was on the phone with the operator,” Saramosing said. “I was more scared because I was in a position where I felt like I couldn’t protect my sister.”
Saramosing was house sitting for her significant other during the attempted burglary. She was so frightened that she couldn’t provide the exact address to the operator that morning.
As EPD arrived, Saramosing remained on the line with the operator. She and her sister were too frightened to leave the bedroom, so EPD broke down the door and assured them they were safe.
It was comforting for Saramosing that nothing was stolen and that she helped prevent a burglary from happening.
“I knew beforehand of break-ins and burglaries over break, but I never thought it would have happened to me,” Saramosing said. “Especially because I had lived in the same apartment earlier this year and it had never happened before.”
Aware of the incident, Dean of Students Paul Shang reached out to offer support services to Saramosing.
“The Office of the Dean of Students has many functions,” Shang said. “When we learn about student emergencies we try to provide support services, referrals, counseling and provide any type of assistance a student may need. So when I wrote to Demi, I wanted her to know that we were here to provide any arrangements she may need.”
The Office of the Dean of Students is open 24/7 and is a helpful resource on campus. The University Health Center can also help in these situations.
“I’ve never actually thought about where I could go to get help/resources if I was involved in a burglary,” junior Taylor Barnhart said. “I don’t think most students know where to seek help from the UO if they are involved in situations like burglary, theft or even reporting a crime. I know counseling is available, but I don’t think students are aware that it can be used for situations like this.”
Just before every winter break, EPD and UOPD send out a message covering crime prevention over break.
“I do not think were have been informed enough about this particular issue,” Barnhart said. “I know our housing company gave us some information and tips about leaving over break, but I don’t think we’re informed too much about the increased risk over break.”