Methodist University Student Development & Services

Crime Prevention

August 21, 2009

Re: Thefts in and around the residence halls

Hello, all,

This academic year marks a new beginning for many of you. Unfortunately, thefts in and around our campus continue to plague our community. Public Safety and the Residence Life staff take very seriously our commitment to keep you as safe as possible from criminal activity; however, we cannot do it alone. There are many efforts you can take to help protect yourself and your belongings from theft.

Public Safety has several services we provide to help keep you from becoming a victim.

Operation ID is spearheaded by our Crime Prevention Officer, Annette Thompson. She will come to your room and record the serial numbers and other information from your valuable equipment and belongings. If you wish, she has an engraver to apply an identifying number (usually your driver's license number) to your non-serial number items. This information will be recorded and maintained in a safe place. In the event your property is lost or stolen while at MU, home or anywhere else, the information may be entered into the national police database to assist in recovery of your things. This is a free service available to everyone on campus. You may contact Officer Thompson at 910-630-7487 at her office in Garber Hall to schedule this service.

If you know of or suspect criminal activity, you may contact a campus police officer or security officer at 910-630-7149. You may also report anonymously via MU Crime Stoppers at 910-630-7287 or on-line at There may be a reward for your information

Some other tips to help keep you and our community safe:

Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS lock your doors and your windows. Almost every theft from a dorm room is through an unlocked door. Whether you're in your room sleeping, leave for a moment or whether you're going to be gone several days, NEVER leave your door unlocked. It only takes seconds for a thief to steal your stuff.
NEVER PROP-OPEN AN OUTSIDE DOOR OR GATE!!!
Report any broken locks, gates or doors immediately to your Resident Coordinator. A broken lock is the same as an unlocked lock.
Keep your valuables out of plain sight. Purses, wallets and small electronics need to be locked in your trunk or kept in a drawer or closet. Out of sight these are less of a temptation to the would-be thief.
Key control is very important. If you have lost your MU ID card or room key, it is important you let us know as soon as you find it is gone. If you have lost your keys, contact your Residence Coordinator or call Public Safety. If you lose your MU ID card, report the loss to Public Safety so we can deactivate your card to prevent others from using it.
Do not hide a key outside your door. PERIOD!
Never allow anyone to come into your building or anyone's office or classroom unless they are your personal guest. Remember, you are responsible for the actions of your guests while they are on campus.
If you see anything or anyone that looks suspicious, call Public Safety immediately. Better to have the situation investigated and find out the circumstances are innocent then to ignore it and find too late your suspicions were right.

Nothing will keep you 100% safe from crime but following these tips will help keep you safer. In the meantime, please remember, Public Safety personnel are here to serve you. If you have any information about the thefts from the residence halls or the parking lots, please don't hesitate to call us. Help us help you! Report any incident immediately. If you have been the victim of a crime, and you have not yet contacted us, please do so as soon as possible.

Thank you for taking a moment out of your day for this. I hope the information I have shared is useful.

James Phillips
Director, Public Safety
Office: 910-630-7149
Desk: 910-630-7625

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