Danielle Kreider
News Editor

On October 12, 2012 a Timely Warning was issued as a requirement of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1990. This is a federal law that requires the University to disclose certain timely and annual information to the campus community of all crimes reported to campus or local police departments that may possibly pose a threat to the campus community. On October 11, 2012 between the hours of 9 p.m. and midnight, Millersville Borough Police Department received three burglary complaints.
The burglaries took place off-campus in the areas of Hillview Avenue, University Drive and W. Charlotte Street in several student apartments. Laptops seemed to be the main things stolen from the areas. An alarming fact is that the suspects entered the apartments while the occupants were home.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the crimes and no damage was done to the apartments. The suspects were believed to be males, and one suspect was described as a black male about 6 foot and 200 lbs.
The Millersville Borough Police Department is actively investigating the incidents, although no arrests have been made at this time. But Sgt. Detective Jeff Margevich is working hard to get to the bottom of these crimes, and information can be provided to the Borough Police by calling 717-872-4658.
At this point regarding whether students should be worried and “on their guard.”
MUPD’s Chief Peter Anders stated that, “students should be more aware of their surroundings and of the occurrence of recent burglaries. What they should most particularly be on guard for is that these burglars entered apartments when it appeared that the occupants could be home, that is concerning. The timely warning should serve notice that these crimes occurred, and that there is a chance there could be future occurrences of the same crime in our area. Burglaries do occur in urban, suburban and rural areas, so it is important to be conscious that valuables can be stolen on and off campus.”
Students can make themselves more aware of criminal activity such as these burglaries by getting to know their neighbors, and to make an effort to talk to each other.
This is an easy way to increase the overall safety of the University and community because as a campus community everyone tends to look out for each other.
All members of the campus community are strongly urged to take regular personal safety precautions, which can be taken to try to prohibit something like this from happening again.
Chief Anders says, “Simple precautions such as locking our doors, or a screen door can prevent or deter an intruder. Lighting during the evening is a great and relatively inexpensive way to prevent crime. A motion detector light scan cost $30 or less, and are simple deterrents. Most of crime prevention is common sense, while we live in a very safe area, we can reduce our probability of being a victim by making where we live a less attractive or more difficult target. I and my staff are available to meet with student groups interested in discussing ways to prevent crime.”
Students should take this Timely Warning very seriously, and any suspicious activity or persons should be reported immediately to the MUPD by calling 717-872-3433.