Lindenwood had several vehicles broken in and one theft Monday morning on university properties.

An e-mail was sent out yesterday afternoon by Director Ryan Anderson of Lindenwood’s Department of Public Safety and Security, or DPS. In the email, Anderson explains that the department had received multiple reports of vehicle break-ins and one report of a vehicle theft that morning.

Both the DPS and the Saint Charles City Police Department are currently investigating these reports. DPS has already increased patrols throughout the university’s residential areas. Anderson said in the email that they also requested the police to conduct additional patrols in Linden Terrace housing.

The email also listed safety practices to help reduce crime:

• Lock your doors and windows at your residence.
• Lock your doors whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Keep your purse, wallet and other valuables in a secure location and, if possible, have them with you when exiting your vehicle.
• Create an inventory of your belongings listing the item and serial number. Take photos of your valuables, and make photocopies of the contents of your wallet (credit cards, driver’s license, etc.) Keep this list, photos and photocopies in a safe place.
• Be alert to your surroundings.
• While walking, continuously conduct a visual scan of the area around you.
• Be on the alert for people or situations that seem to be out of place or out of the ordinary.
• Watch for people on foot in the vicinity of residential areas, apartments, buildings or vehicles who appear to be aimlessly walking around, looking into windows or trying to open various doors.
• Watch out for other people’s safety and welfare as you would like them to watch out for yours.

If you see anything suspicious or witness the crime, call 911 for the Saint Charles Police Department. Also, the DPS can be reached at (636) 949-4911.