With students away, Thanksgiving break risks break-ins and theft in Bloomington. Students should carefully secure their residences and belongings over the week-long break from Nov. 21 through Dec. 1.
IUPD Capt. Shannon Bunger offered tips on how to avoid break-ins and stolen items while students are away.
Before leaving for break, students should ensure all of their doors and windows are locked, Bunger said.
Students should remove any expensive items from plain sight, he said.
“Pull your curtains shut so people can't see the 80-inch TV on your wall,” Bunger said.
Bunger urges students to take home their valuable items, like laptops and gaming systems.
“Thieves like to target little items because they’re easy to steal,” he said.
If possible, students should place timers on lights to illuminate their residences in the evening so it looks like someone is home.
If neighbors will be around during the holiday break, students should ask them to collect any mail, Bunger said. Loaded mailboxes may alert burglars about vacant houses.
“Any way that they can make the house look like people are there, they’ll have a better chance of people not breaking in,” Bunger said.
