Crime & Safety
Police To Students: Lock It Up As You Head Out For Winter Break
Oxford Officials and Miami University remind students and residents of the safety and crime prevention tips before winter break begins.
BY KELLY WAGNER
Miami University Journalism Student
With the Holidays’ approaching, Oxford officials are providing safety tips for Miami University students and Oxford residents who are leaving the city for the University’s six-week winter break.
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Thousands of Miami University students will be leaving their academic home for break and are encouraged to review safety and crime prevention tips. Winter break begins Dec. 15, with January term starting Jan. 2, 2018. Spring semester starts Jan. 29, 2018, with most students arriving back the weekend prior.
Safety Tips
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Some of the tactics the Oxford Police Department recommends if you are leaving your home over break include:
- Leave an outside light on and timer lights on inside.
- Make sure all windows and locks are secure.
- Stop mail service temporarily.
- Take valuables home.
- Request a vacant house check and the OPD will check to make sure the residency is how it should be.
Make arrangements for your vehicle
OPD advise people who are leaving their vehicle in Oxford over break to not park in on snow routes. If it snows more than three inches, any vehicleparked on snow routes will be cited and towed.
Oxford also has a 72-hour street parking ordinance. Any vehicle parked on a city street longer than that could be impounded and cited. So students are encouraged to find off-the-street parking.
Oxford Police Department Chief John Jones said there is a high liklihood that crimes will not be reported or stopped because there will be less people in Oxford.
“With the winter break coming up, inevitably we will get burglaries that will occur… we really do rely on the community to report things to us,” said Jones.
Miami University also reminds students
Miami University Associated Student Government also provided Miami University students crime prevention tips as well as offering free programmable timer and door/window arms to keep potential burglars away.
Students staying on campus over break with an urgent or safety concern, can call either the Miami University Police at 513-529-2222 or the Residence Life staff member on duty at 513-330-2005.
Cover photo contributed by Clip-Artlibrary.com