Oxford police reported only four break-ins over Miami’s winter break, which they said was a low number compared with recent years.
More typical has been a dozen residential burglaries over the January break, said Oxford Police Lt. Lara Fening.
All four break-ins occurred in January in student residences. None had signs of forced entry, and only one involved more than two stolen items.
In one incident, on the 200-block of W. Church St. the internet at the house was disconnected, causing the Ring doorbell camera to lose function, said Fening.
Katelyn McQuillen, a resident, listed several stolen items. Two window air conditioning units, a Dyson vacuum, a scooter, an air fryer, several perfumes, and several pairs of leggings were some of the included items.
“Everything was locked. We think maybe they got in through one of the windows, but everything was locked,” McQuillen said. “There was no sign of forced entry at all.”
In an apartment on Ogden Court, an iPad and cash was stolen on Jan. 9. On South Campus Avenue, there were two reported incidents of breaking and entering. Nothing was stolen.
On West Vine Street a sound bar was found to be missing on Jan. 11 from a house. Red Brick Property Management had alerted the police and the resident on Jan. 9 that the front door was open.
Emily Black, realtor at Red Brick, said in an email that it is protocol for maintenance staff to check vacant properties during break and to alert police if necessary.
“You can do everything right, have good crime prevention, and yet you could still be a victim. It’s just very discouraging,” Fening said.
No arrests have been made at this time for the break-ins.
Fenning said that the police department puts “a strong focus on burglary prevention.” She encourages students leaving for break to take all valuables with them and fill out a vacant house form with the OPD.
Over break, the department performed vacant house checks on 532 residences, she said. Officers often go on foot to vacant houses and ensure everything is as described by residents. Property management will be contacted if an entrance is unlocked and the dispatch team is unable to secure the residence.
