Any reader of the police reports in The Daily Orange knows that car break-ins are prevalent, but since 2003 began the number of break-ins have nearly doubled.

The number of break-ins in the Syracuse University surrounding neighborhood from Jan.1 to Jan 26, have noticeably spiked compared to the same span last year, said Syracuse Police spokesman Lt. Joe Cecile. The police department has not ruled out the possibility that the break-ins are a joint effort, but police currently have no suspects, he added.

Correlation among the crimes may exist, Cecile said, because the perpetrator walks around until he sees a relatively small object such as a CD player, cell phone or cash. He then checks if the car door is unlocked — if it is not, the window is smashed.

Another possible link among the break-ins is that a rash of criminal mischief complaints have not been filed, suggesting that windows were smashed with the clear intention of stealing something, Cecile added.

To combat the problem, Syracuse police may send an unmarked car to patrol the neighborhood in search of the perpetrator. The university patrol vehicle has also been notified to keep an eye out.

SU is also taking precautions against the break-ins. The Office of Off-Campus Student Services is working with the police to inform students of the problem, Cecile said. Director of Public Safety Marlene Hall said it is important for Public Safety officers to be aware of the happenings in the surrounding community.

“Any time there is a problem adjacent to you, you have to remain vigilant to make sure it doesn’t spread on to the campus,” she said.

Thomas Diana, a graduate student studying science education, had his car broken into during the weekend. Even though Diana does not live in the immediate university area, he said it seems like car break-ins are rampant in the university area.

“I’m always hearing about cars getting broken into,” he said.

Laura Madelone, director of Off-Campus Student Services, said she is working with the police department to get the word out about larcenies from student’s cars.

She noted the importance of locking valuables in the trunk, if not removing them from the car altogether. Off-campus services is also working in conjunction with police to increase lighting in some places where students park to help reduce the level of break-ins there, Madelone said.

Cecile said it is important to realize the perpetrator uses reason when choosing his victims.

“I hate to use this word, but he is very practical,” he said.

Published on February 5, 2003 at 12:00 pm