Though overall crime is down, theft from automobiles in Burleith and upper Georgetown has recently increased, and students comprise about 30 percent of those victimized, according to Lt. Brian Bray of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District. MPD’s biggest concern is the carelessness of residents and visitors who leave their cars unlocked or valuables visible. Though it is easy to forget that areas like Burleith are not a part of our well-protected campus, students who live or park off-campus must use common sense to avoid easy thefts.
MPD recorded 18 break-ins in November and 17 in December, Bray said. Despite the recent increase, thefts from autombiles have decreased by almost 50 percent from five years ago, he said. Bray attributes the overall improvement to increased student and community awareness.
Students should be aware of the simple steps that can prevent most crimes, steps that many other area residents have learned over the years. The tree-lined streets are deceptive—Burleith is no Connecticut suburb. Georgetown remains well within the District’s boundaries and students must be aware that they are living in a city. Incoming students often do not realize the frequency of thefts that occur in Burleith and Georgetown, where the most common crime remains auto break-ins, and returning students often become lax about their safety precautions. Although the Department of Public Safety and MPD hand out fliers and information in the fall, there is less of an effort at the beginning of the second semester, Bray said. And because Georgetown and Burleith are transient neighborhoods, with students and interns constantly moving in and out, residents have less of a community feel and do not report suspicious activity as readily to the police.
District 205, which includes Burleith and upper Georgetown, experiences about 15 car break-ins per month. Although thefts will never stop, students can cut their risk of having their vehicles broken into by removing any valuables from their cars or putting them in the trunk and taking everything out of the consoles and leaving them open, so potential thieves know there is nothing inside. It is a good idea to bypass high-end stereos for the factory installed ones, which are much less lucrative items, or at least to get one with a removable faceplate. Car owners should also remember to park in a lighted area and always keep car doors locked. And while it’s tempting to leave back doors unlocked with six people living in a house, students should always keep their houses locked to prevent burglary.
Georgetown students need to remember that they do not live in a bubble, and follow these common sense procedures to avoid being the victims of preventable crimes.
