Since the beginning of the spring semester a total of 35 break-ins have been reported on PV’s campus. According to campus police sources, 34 of those break-ins were residential and one was an office break-in. Sophomore Brandon Banks, of building 18, is just one of those 34 victims of recent campus break-ins. Banks said that he left his room, and returned three hours later to find his computer, shoes and his roommate’s PS2, CDs, DVDs and money gone. No doors were broken, and all the windows were still locked.
Banks believes that the thieves had a key to enter the apartment. “When I returned, the front door was locked.” When police arrived for Banks’ statement he said the police “asked a lot of questions and touched all the door knobs, and I asked him about the fingerprints. He said it was too late.”
Banks later spoke to A.D. Aldridge, of residential life, and “he was a great help, made me feel better, got things done,” said Banks.
When asked about the recent break-ins on campus, Sergeant Joseph Williams, of the PV police department said, “We have been able to apprehend several suspects, and the police have filed charges against them, and they have been taken to Waller County jail. The judicial area system will dispose of those cases.”
Williams suggests to all students to be cautious of who enters their rooms, to keep windows covered, especially when absent, and also if you lose your key, to replace it, and do not leave your door unlocked.
“This is not just a police department, we want to build the confidence of the students and everyone else in the community. Come see us at anytime,” said Williams.
Williams also said that the police department is trying to increase visibility on campus, increase patrol in the phases, now have cops on bicycles, people reporting to the police, and working to set up a tip line. Right now, students and others can call the police department and “we will respond,” said Williams.