WVU issues Community Notice due to recent thefts from vehicles

West Virginia UniversityPolice issued a Community Notice Wednesday (Sept. 11) following five reports of thefts from parked vehicles at various on-campus locations since Aug. 31, including two Tuesday (Sept. 10) at College Park.

In most of the cases - which are not believed to be connected - items were stolen from unlocked vehicles.

"Our advice for our students, faculty and staff is to always secure your belongings, whether that be your home, vehicle or other personal items," Chief Sherry St. Clair said. "Our officers are out continually patrolling campus property, but we all have a responsibility to take steps to try to prevent crimes of opportunity."

UPD officers are investigating the theft cases. Two surveillance images have been released. Anyone with information that could be helpful is asked to call University Police at 203-293-COPS (2677) or visit the department at 992 Elmer Prince Drive. Information may be shared anonymously.

WVU is committed to providing a safe campus for the protection of the University community. The following safety tips are designed to help avoid potential crime.

• LOCK YOUR VEHICLE.

• Secure windows and doors while you are away or not actively monitoring them.

• Check your vehicle often.

• Do not leave spare keys in places accessible to others, like an unlocked vehicle.

• Check your vehicle before getting in and driving.

• If anything is out of place or appears to have been tampered with, call UPD if you are on campus or Morgantown Police or the local police department if you are off campus.

• Do not attempt to drive the vehicle away if parts to the vehicle are missing unless it is safe to do so.

• If any tools or other items are around the car, do not touch them and tell the responding officer.

• Anyone who believes they are in danger should immediately call 911.

• If you witness a potentially dangerous situation or a crime, call 911 or UPD.

• Download the LiveSafe app.

• If you encounter an emergency situation on campus, utilize the blue light emergency call system, if available.

West Virginia University Resources:

• WVU Police Department - 911, 304-293-2677, 304-293-3136
• WVU CARE Team
• WVU Carruth Center - 304-293-4431
• WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - 304-293-5600
• WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities - 304-293-8111
• WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program - 304-293-5590
• WVU Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center - 304-292-5100
• WVU Office of Campus and Community Life - 304-293-5611
• WVU Student Health - 304-285-7200
• WVU Division of Student Life - 304-293-5811

Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and police.wvu.edu.

Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page as well as @WVUsafety on X, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.

A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.

-WVU-

sj/9/11/24

MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
University Relations
304-293-8302; [email protected]

Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.

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