Without God in the World

Crime increase caused by economy
Emily Peterson

The negative economy may be a major cause of a recent increase in numbers of property crimes such as burglary and theft in and near the South side of St. Cloud.

"Whenever the economy takes a nose-dive, property crime increases," said John Justin from the St. Cloud Police Crime Prevention Unit.

SCSU Public Safety Security Coordinator Jennifer Furan said that the time of year may also have an effect on increased property crimes.

"We've seen an increase in thefts around the holiday season," Furan said. "People want to provide for their family everything they can and sometimes their finances don't allow them to do that so they resort to desperate measures."

The number of burglaries in St. Cloud recently doubled within one month.

Director of the SCSU Public Safety Department Miles Heckendorn said that the campus environment provides one of the best environments for criminals.

"Property crimes are mostly crimes of opportunity," Heckendorn said.

"The reason that happens down there is criminals are going to target the younger adults that live in that area because you see a lot of them have the important things like lap-top computers, the iPods, and all the electronic gizmos," Justin said.

Justin also said that areas around campus are often "quick pace" and this can create the potential for thefts and burglaries.

"What you see is a lot of unlocked cars and a lot of unlocked doors. The criminals know that and they've known that for some time," Justin said.

"A large percentage of those instances of theft and burglary possibly could've been prevented," Heckendorn said.

Furan said that students who are living on their own for the first time need to be especially aware of possible break-ins.

"For 18 years om and/or dad locked the front door when they went to bed at night and now, all of a sudden, they move up here and now they're responsible for locking their own door," Furan said.

There are several precautions people can take to help prevent their belongings from being stolen.

The St. Cloud Police Department offers Operation Identification where people can be issued a specific

number to mark their property with.

In the event that these items are stolen, police can more easily track them and return them to the owner if found. People are also given decals to put on their doors or windows.

"Criminals don't like dealing with property that they know or believe has been entered into our nationwide database," Justin said.

The St. Cloud Police Crime Prevention Unit also advises people to keep a record of the serial numbers and description of expensive items and they may have such as computers, cameras, and musical equipment even if they are gifts.

"As soon as you buy it, you want to write down the serial number especially now during the holiday times," Justin said.

"Put away items out of sight that are easily targeted items," Heckendorn said.

Furan advises students in particular to take expensive items with them if they plan on going home for the winter break.

"This place becomes a ghost town but not everyone goes home. The criminals still stay here," Furan said.