Off-campus housing shows higher crime rates
MUPD and CPD encourage residents to practice safe living.
Published Feb. 2, 2009
Higher crime rates in Columbia might alter some students' decisions about where to live next year.
Crime that happens in the MU Police Department's jurisdiction has dropped in the past year, according to MUPD's Web site.
Larceny was the most common crime. MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said many of the larcenies were the result of poor judgment on the part of the students.
"Many students would leave their rooms, apartments or cars unlocked and it makes stealing easier for criminals," Weimer said.
This year, some apartment complexes have experienced more crimes than others.
Columbia Police Department Sgt. Bruce Houston said Gatehouse Apartments have the most problems with crime.
Houston said there isn't any reason why crime at Gatehouse has picked up recently.
"Gatehouse has its problems, but there are problems everywhere in Columbia and Gatehouse has had the most recent of issues," Houston said.
Representatives for Gatehouse Apartments declined to comment.
Despite the recent crime rates, many students who live off campus said they do not fear being burglarized or robbed.
Freshman Patrick Kelly said he doesn't worry about crime off-campus.
"Crime happens everywhere and people should always be aware of the possibilities of crime in the city and on campus," Kelly said, who lives off campus at Campus Lodge Apartments.
Weimer said until this school year, CPD was the on-call police department for much of the off-campus housing. This year, MUPD responds to off-campus housing leased by MU.
Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said safety is the first concern for all university housing and they take extra safety procedures to protect students, such as electrical locks, fire alarms and security cameras in off-campus housing.
"With off-campus housing, there are students living next to Columbians with 9 to 5 jobs and keeping the students' safety is our top priority," Minor said.
Minor also said to help students with safety procedures they conduct drills each semester in cases of emergency, fires and tornadoes.
Minor said the university must make sure safety is the top priority with off-campus housing because many of the apartments are owned by other groups and are looking only for a profit off the university.
Weimer also said the people who commit these crimes often get away.
Despite the university's police department becoming the first responder for MU-owned off-campus housing, CPD still responds to other apartment complexes.
Bradley Bootz, The Reserve leasing and marketing manager, said the apartment complex has an on-sight Columbia police officer who lives in the complex and who has a direct link to CPD headquarters. Bootz also said The Reserve hasn't had problems with crime except for occasional alcohol-related incidents.
According to MUPD's Web site, 66 people were arrested for larceny in 2008, compared to 332 larcenies that took place.
Weimer said they are aware of these issues with off-campus housing, but he also said these statistics include on-campus housing as well.
Weimer said students should have better safety awareness to prevent many of these committed crimes.
"Students should lock their apartments, call and report all suspicious activities and know safety procedures, " Weimer said.
Minor also agreed that students should have better safety awareness because they are targeted a lot of times, especially near the end of semesters.
"Near the end of semesters, people know students are packing up and getting ready to leave so if you see someone carrying a TV out of a room around that time it would not look suspicious, as opposed to now," Minor said.
Minor also said students should check their locks, doors and windows to make sure they are appropriate for use and preventing crimes.
"If there are problems with any locks, ask for maintenance to repair them and to put these request in writing," Minor said.
Houston added that locking cars and apartments would be the best way to prevent crime in apartments around the city.