For most university and college students, holidays are a time to go home, enjoy friends and family, and relax away from the strains of school. But for burglars, it's time to go to work.

Many criminals look forward to holidays because it means apartment complexes and other residential areas that are mainly inhabited by students are virtually deserted, said Statesboro Police Commander J.R. Holloway.

During Thanksgiving break in 2009, dozens of burglaries were reported in apartments around the Georgia Southern University campus. Thieves took a wide assortment of items, including jewelry, cash, DVD movies and clothing. In 2009, however, the most expensive and most popular items were lap top computers and Xbox 360 gaming systems, according to reports.

Statesboro Police plan to step up patrols this week around residential areas and apartment complexes while students - and others - are away for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Holloway said.

"We will have bike and walking patrols, logging things like windows cracked, screens off, so when the next shift comes, they will be able to tell if something has been tampered with."

Burglars target student apartments because "they know parents have sent (students) to school with very expensive equipment," he said. Lap top computers, stereos, iPods, video game consoles - electronics are the most targeted item for theft. They are easily pawned or resold, he said. "Students need to at least put those types of things in the trunk of their cars and take them home with them."

Although inconvenient, taking valuables home is far more pleasant than coming home after a wonderful trip home to find your door kicked in and the apartment empty of anything of value, he said.

Burglars still may kick your door in or pry your windows open, but if your goods are in your car trunk, they're out of luck.

"If you have your valuables in the trunk of your car, your apartment door can be fixed," he said.
Making your home appear as if you could return any minute will help deter crooks, Holloway said.

"It's always good to leave a light on, maybe a radio on, but not blasting so your neighbors will want to complain," he said. "Turn it up just good enough it can be heard outside your door, or leave the TV on." This may make would- be burglars think you stayed behind for the holidays and could return from the grocery store any minute, he said.

Making sure windows are clear and shrubbery is trimmed so no one can hide is a good idea as well, he said. And if you have a dependable neighbor who can keep an eye out, that's good too.

Holloway also warned students about hosting parties where strange guests show up.

"When you have people you don't know at your party, you're giving them a free ‘casing,'" he said. "They know what is in your house by attending your party. Don't try to be the good fellow that has a little extra money and throw a party, because they get to walk all over your house, looking, scoping everything you have in there."

While parties once were for close friends and acquaintances, today, a party is often fair game for anyone who wants to stop by, he said. "Now things have changed, and strangers attend arties. They know what is inside the apartment before they break in."

Holloway said law enforcement agencies are more than willing to step up patrols during the holidays, but students and other residents need to do their part. "We do what we can to protect, but we need help," he said.

This advice is good for anyone, but residential areas known to house mostly students are high-target areas, he said. Also, not all residents of these apartment complexes are students. As new apartment complexes geared towards university and college students are built, the rent is lowered at older apartment complexes, and many non-students move in, he said.

Some of those who move into university-area housing may do so because "pickings are easy," he said. This includes your vehicle.

Burglars and thieves are looking for items that are "of easy taking," he said. "Change in your console, cell phones, and things of value left in sight in your car are invitations for break-ins.

"Hide your valuables," he said. "Shoppers, don't leave your stuff in the back seat while you go somewhere else to shop. Put it in your trunk."

Holloway said many entering auto cases reported include thefts of jewelry, purses, high amounts of cash, electronics and other items that are not necessary to leave inside a car. A little effort to take those items inside once you get home may prevent a shattered car window and the theft of those items, he said.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 912-489-9414.