Anjali Dalal-Whelan/News Editor 

While many students were away from campus during intersession, members of the USD community were alerted to several burglaries. Six burglaries occurred in January, in first-year Valley residence halls — four in Valley A buildings and two in Valley B buildings.

 In an email to USD’s campus community, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students  Nicole Whitner and Assistant Vice President and Director of Public Safety Chief James Miyashiro gave more information on the wave of crime. 

“The recent burglaries and thefts occurred during the Intersession period when rooms were vacant, when students and staff were away from rooms and offices, or when items were left unattended. In several instances, windows or doors were left open or unlocked for easy access,” the email stated. 

The email also explained new preventative measures that were installed  in residence areas. These include increased patrols by the Department of Public Safety (DPS)  around the Valley and Vistas  residence   halls, installation of sash locks and dowel   rods to add extra protection to ground-level windows and patrols by Residential  Life staff members.  Additionally, Residence Life staff checked for unsecured windows before the semester began. 

The   email  from Whitner and Chief Miyashiro   connected  to  a list of  tips to reduce   the risk of burglary or theft which can be found on the USD News Center website.  

Chief Miyashiro provided additional information to The USD Vista in a written statement. He explained that he believes the burglaries are connected by the same perpetrators. 

“They followed a consistent modus operandi [pattern], with unknown individuals gaining access to rooms through unlocked windows or doors left ajar. The unknown perpetrators exclusively targeted unoccupied rooms,” Miyashiro said. 

Miyashiro stated that USD’s DPS is collaborating with the San Diego Police Department, but no arrests      have been made as of Feb. 2. 

He also informed The USD Vista that the university is considering installing security cameras around residential areas, although they have not been installed yet. 

“The university is actively considering the augmentation of surveillance cameras in proximity to residential halls,” Miyashiro stated.  

USD first-year Emma Pirhala is a Valley B resident and expressed her concern regarding the crime notifications. 

“It’s definitely concerning since there doesn’t seem to be much action in finding out who is committing these crimes. However, I feel safe by taking proper   precautions, like locking my doors and windows,” Pirhala said. 

USD first-year Ashley Rodriguez said the break-ins have caused her apprehension. Her building in Valley A was broken into during the fall semester. 

“We   had a  floor meeting about it,   and  it was really   rattling coming to college and already feeling unsafe,” Rodriguez said. 

She expanded on how the most recent      burglaries have affected her. 

“When   I got all the notifications   that there were more break-ins happening over break, it was really scary. I hope that USD puts in some   cameras in the Valley or hires more Public Safety  officers. Because even though they’re supposed to be on patrol most of the time, I personally rarely see them,” Rodriguez  stated. 

Chief Miyashiro urged students to stay vigilant and report suspicious behavior to prevent crime on campus.  

DPS can be reached through their emergency number 

(619) 260-2222  or their non-emergency number (619) 260-777. 

Public Safety increased presence around the Valley due to increased crime.  Spencer Bispham/The USD Vista