When it comes to campus safety, awareness of one’s surroundings can prove to be the key.

There were 66 burglaries reported on campus, including residence halls, in 2005 according to the most recently available official statistics.

By individuals taking the necessary precautions, this number can go down in the future, said Lt. Darren Mitchell of the University Police.

“A person that commits a theft is someone that has the means, motive and the opportunity to do the crime,” Mitchell said. “Students are the ones that have the most effect on giving someone the opportunity to steal from them.”

Students can avoid giving potential thieves that opportunity by safeguarding their possessions and being more aware of their surroundings, Mitchell said. This especially rings true in residence halls.

“If someone leaves their door open or unlocked, it only takes five seconds for someone to get in the room and take any valuable objects,” Mitchell said.

The library is also an area where students could potentially have their belongings stolen, as many students leave their things unprotected for a length of time, Mitchell said.

When living on a campus the size of NIU, students should exercise caution when walking at night, he said.

“Students should try to walk with a friend and be in lighted areas at night time to increase their safety,” Mitchell said. “If they can’t find anybody to walk with they can take advantage of the Late Night Ride Service or the Student Escort Service.”

The Late Night Ride Service, operated by NIU security guards, transports students anywhere around the campus area. The service runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Student Escort Service is run by students who work with the Department of Public Safety and escort students to their residence hall from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Yoan Bustiono, a political science graduate student, has taken advantage of the Late Night Ride Service in the past.

“I really don’t feel safe after 10 p.m., so it’s great to use when I’m by myself on campus,” Bustiono said.