Dear campus community member:
We want to inform you of a series of crimes that have been affecting the campus community, so you have the information you need to take the appropriate precautions. This message alone is not necessarily an indication that crime rates on campus have increased or that a pattern of crime has emerged. For a more comprehensive look at crime in your area, you can view the daily crime log.
In recent months, University Police have been made aware of multiple incidents of intruders entering apartments without permission, sometimes while residents are inside. In all cases, the apartment door has been unlocked.
The most recent incidents occurred between 10:50 p.m. and midnight Tuesday at an apartment building at 308 E. Green St., Champaign, (map), where a single intruder entered five unlocked apartments. In some of those cases, the residents were at home, and the intruder lingered for several minutes before leaving. University Police were made aware of the incidents on Wednesday.
In February, a series of incidents at 309 E. Green St., Champaign, (map) resulted in an arrest. University Police have received several other reports of unauthorized access to off-campus apartment buildings throughout the spring semester. While University Police have made arrests in several incidents, the issue is ongoing.
Most of these incidents are easily preventable by locking your door and following some other safety tips:
- Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are at home. Intruders often will walk down a hallway checking door handles and enter any room or apartment they find unlocked.
- Do not hold the door for strangers who want to follow you into a secure area. This practice, sometimes called “piggybacking” or “tailgating,” allows unauthorized access for people who do not live in the building.
- Immediately report suspicious activity to police. Call police if someone enters your apartment without permission – even if they claim to be mistaken – or if you see someone checking for unlocked doors.
- Call 911 in an emergency or to report any crime in progress. Call 217-333-8911 for non-emergencies.
Please take a moment to review these resources we have made available to keep you informed, and consider liking UIPD on Facebook, following us on Twitter or subscribing to our news feed to receive regular updates.