As the weather warms, University Police foot and vehicle patrols will become more frequent around campus, said UP Officer Albert Ekstrom.

“When the weather is nicer, we come to expect an increase in certain types of criminal activity,” Ekstrom said.

Due to increases in crimes such as theft and criminal damage to property during the spring and summer months, the UPs will strengthen their efforts to keep the campus safe during this time of year, he said.

The frequency of several types of theft—especially book theft—increases during these months, Ekstrom said. “An increase in book and backpack thefts is inevitable toward the end of the semester. Most likely, thieves are looking for stuff to sell back (during book buy-back).”

In response to theft increases the UPs beef-up their warning campaign during April by taking out newspaper ads, sending out pamphlets and setting up a crime prevention table in the Holmes Student Center. “I think we’ve made ourselves pretty available,” Ekstrom said.

Police give students tips on how to insure the safety of their personal items by taking such steps as engraving names and identification numbers on items, keeping things locked up and out of sight and not leaving valuable items where they could be stolen easily.

The UPs urge people to avoid walking alone at night in isolated or poorly-lit areas. Those who suspect they are being followed should run to a better-lit area, a group of people or a building. Cars should be parked in well-lit areas with the doors locked and the owner should look into the vehicle before re-entering.

UP officers increase the frequency of their patrols around the East Lagoon, a dark and wooded area, in spring and summer. More officers also will walk their regular patrols and investigate certain areas more often during these warm months, he said.

In addition, the UPs increase patrols of NIU buildings upon request, such as when skateboarders were reported in several buildings during the last few weeks.