Burglary Tops University of Oklahoma Campus Crime Reports.

Annual crime report shows burglary to be the top crime on the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus. 

According to the 2010 Sooner Safety and Fire Report  burglary outnumbers all other crimes ranging from liquor law violations to murder. Additionally, in recent reports theft related occurrences were reported Wednesday and Thursday. 

Burglary numbers have risen slightly since the oldest report in 2007. 43 burglary occurrences were reported in 2007, 41 in 2008, and 45 in 2009. On average, 40 of these reports occurred on campus. 

  Recently, theft was reported in Dale Hall Thursday morning. "Someone left a wallet and car keys in the restroom of Dale Hall and they were gone when he came back," Tim Sieger University of Oklahoma Police Department Records Manager explained. Additionally, items were reported stolen from the eighth floor of Walker Tower Residence Hall Thursday night. 

Furthermore, another theft related incident was reported on Wednesday. The University of Oklahoma Police Department (OUPD) was dispatched to the OU Information Technology store when the burglary intrusion alarm was triggered. The alarm was "just an alarm," Sieger said. 

Sieger mentioned that when most alarms are triggered they are false activations. "Many are triggered by weather, electrical interference, or an employee not turning the alarm off in time upon entering...there's really too many reasons for me to list," Sieger said. 

The OUPD serves as the central alarm and monitoring station for the Norman Campus. All the electronic security systems triggered on campus report back to the dispatcher's position, according to the Sooner Safety and Fire Report.

Though burglary numbers are highest in the crime reports, one should not be alarmed. Burglary numbers are not always an actual theft crime, Sieger mentioned. "Anytime someone thinks they lost something they report it as theft even if it is not," he said. Sieger said he does not know for sure if burglary is actually the top crime on campus in numbers due to the wide range of "burglary" reports.

The OUPD are actively working to reduce the number of crimes on campus in many different ways. The department offers self-defense classes, alcohol classes, SafeRide/SafeWalk programs, and online theft reduction tips. 

"Always lock car doors and roll up windows. Keep valuables out of sight or in the trunk," "Never leave personal items unattended or unlocked," and always "take keys with you, even when steping out 'just for a second,'" the Sooner Safety and Fire Report lists. 

The OUPD recommends the OU community follow the crime prevention tips listed on their website, www.ou.edu/oupd/. Nevertheless, to report a non-emergency criminal incident, call the OUPD at 405-325-2864. For emergency incidents dial 911.