Students and staff who use Salt Lake Community College parking lots have more to worry about than finding a parking spot.
With thousands of students and faculty meeting on campuses throughout the Salt Lake Valley, unsecured cars and bicycles can become targets for thieves.
“70% of all crime committed on campus are property crimes, and a majority of those are in the parking lot,” says Lt. Jeff Willmore of the Utah Highway Patrol.
Parking lot safety is a legitimate concern for many students and staff. Here are some quick tips to keep you and your valuables safe.
Secure (and hide) your stuff
It never hurts to be a little extra cautious when it comes to protecting your belongings.
Lt. Willmore advises all vehicle owners to lock their doors and roll their windows up all the way. Additionally, make sure any valuables kept in the vehicle are placed in a secure location, such as the trunk or glove compartment, to keep items locked and out of view.
Try not to walk alone, and stay alert
Anyone who feels uncomfortable leaving the campus at night can call to request a parking lot escort that will walk with them to their vehicle.
UHP recommends parking in well-lit areas and as close to buildings as possible. If walking alone, watch for suspicious activity, have a cell phone in hand and be ready to call 911.
Campus crime on the decline
UHP provides security at the Taylorsville Redwood, Jordan, Meadowbrook and South City campuses. Safety is the primary concern for the officers on patrol.
All in all, crimes are projected to drop for the fourth year in a row, and there has been a 50% drop in car break-ins over the past three years at Taylorsville Redwood Campus alone.
“Campus crime has been on a steady decline for the last three years, and we intend to keep the trend going,” Willmore says.
