Leaving property unattended and unsecured is risky business. University of Miami Police statistics show that 50-80% of all crime on campus is theft of unattended or unsecured property. If you leave your property unattended to get a drink or visible in your parked car, don’t expect it to be there when you get back. UMPD strongly recommends that you take your property with you or locked and out of sight at all times.

Items such as cell phone, backpacks, i-pods, etc. should be kept with you at all times or locked in a secured location. Universities and Colleges across the nation have noted that Institutions of Higher Education are prime grounds for computer theft. For most college students, personal computers are more than just a tool to write a term paper on, it’s their identity (i.e. banking, bill payments, shopping, etc.). A college student’s laptop is one of the most important pieces of property he/she will have throughout their academic career, and therefore, should be secured as such.

Standard practices to reduce the possibility of having your private information stolen or accessed include:

1. Using a cable lock: While there is no substitute to having your computer with you when out and about, cable locks help deter would-be thieves. It is also important to note that using a cable lock is not a foolproof method to keeping your property secured.   
2. Backing-up sensitive information: In the event that your computer is stolen, it is important to keep sensitive information in a separate and secured location (i.e. bank lock-box, private safe, etc.). Having your bank, credit card and other information securely stored in a secondary location will help you close out accounts faster if your computer is stolen.   
3. Implementing Security Software: computers can be "hacked" while on-line or accessed after being stolen; therefore, it is important to keep your private information inaccessible to cyber and common thieves. Constantly updating your system with firewalls, anti-virus and data encryption software to keep your information secured.   

 

REMEMBER, there is no substitute to keeping your property with you at all times. UMPD highly recommends that you keep your property safe and secured and if possible out of sight to prevent from becoming a victim to theft of unattended and unsecured property.

 

For additional information, contact the Crime Prevention Office at 305-284-1105.

SECURITY IN THE OFFICE

1. Lock your office when you leave, EVERY time you leave.  Laptop computers, cell phones, wallets and purses have been stolen in less than two minutes.  The thief was never seen.  
2. Lock purses, wallets and valuables in your desk when you are away.  
3. Do not carry more cash than you absolutely need.  
4. Be alert for strangers loitering in the work area.  Many thieves will hang around an office waiting for an opportunity to steal.  If approached, they will say they are waiting for a professor (they can get a name from any door to sound convincing).  If you are suspicious, politely ask what class they want to see the person for or the nature of their business.  If they don't have the right answers, call the police.    
5. Keep in mind that many opportunistic thieves will try to blend into the environment.  They will try to dress and act like students, delivery persons, or maintenance personnel.  If something about a person seems out of place (the uniform is not quite right, not the usual delivery person, etc.), listen to that little voice inside of you and report the suspicious person to the police.