Recently, there have been cars broken into and multiple cars stolen from the GC campus, as well as Magnolia Park Apartments, Revelry Flats and Arcadia on the River, complexes that house college students off campus. In addition to the vehicle theft, many residents are reporting their cars being broken into and items being stolen.
Some students have left their keys in their cars or their cars unlocked, which has resulted in their cars being stolen. GC Public Safety has sent students emails and texts about these incidents and how to prevent them.
“It was unlocked, so no physical break-in of my car, but they did break into Arcadia,” said an anonymous source who got their car stolen. “It was around 2-4 a.m. when the car was stolen. The local police department were so amazing. They responded when I called and reported my car stolen, and they did everything they could do in their power to help me locate my car.”
While GC campus police are not involved with off-campus car break-ins, such as those at Arcadia on the River, campus police have been informing students to be cautious.
“My car has been found,” the anonymous source said. “It was on the road when a police car scanned the tag and turned on their lights to pull the car and suspect over. He did not pull over and started a car chase with the police officer. This chase was from Milledgeville to Jones County, where the car was pitted by a GSP and crashed into a pole.”
There have been additional car break-ins on the GC campus. GC Public Safety notified students about a vehicle stolen from the West Campus parking lot in front of Village Apartments Five and Six. This was reported on Feb. 11, at approximately 2 p.m.
During the West Campus investigation, it was reported that another student’s vehicle was also entered, and money was taken during the same time frame.
“I am scared of the incidents because I spend a lot of late nights in the library,” said Ansley Cook, a sophomore exercise science major. “Sometimes, when I’m coming back home, I have to park far from my apartment and walk in the dark alone. It’s very unsettling, knowing everything that’s going on.”
Not all students who commute to campus are concerned about break-ins, especially those students who are only on campus during the day.
“I’m not too worried to leave my car on campus since there are a lot of people around during the day,” said Marisa Perry, a sophomore accounting major.
To prevent break-ins, campus police recommend ensuring that your vehicle is locked, removing any valuables, parking in well-lit parking lots, being aware of your surroundings, knowing where emergency call boxes are and keeping car and residence keys in hand.
“I always lock my car and never leave my keys in it,” Cook said. “Even if I need to run inside for a quick second, I will take my keys with me.
The RAVE Guardian app can additionally be used to set a safety timer and notify Public Safety. This is a branded mobile safety app that connects people directly to an organization or university security with location, a two-way chat, dynamic polling, anonymous tips and an automatic safety timer.
Although the break-ins have continued, GC Public Safety is actively trying to help and inform residents.
