Following a rash of thefts on and off campus, we want to encourage our community members to remain vigilant in protecting their valuable personal and professional belongings.
UC Santa Cruz police officers have seen a spike in crimes of opportunity—theft of electronic devices (e.g., phones, computers, tablets, etc.), bags, and more. Many of the reports have stemmed from the items being left unattended, and we have learned of an increase of burglaries from locked vehicles off campus. People should avoid leaving their electronic devices in a vehicle, as thieves may still try to break in to steal the device.
Campus community members are encouraged to keep their belongings with them or in a secure location to reduce the risk of theft. In addition, electronic devices should have a strong password, and full disk encryption should be considered. This practice means the contents of the computer’s hard drive are protected, even if it is stolen. This is particularly important for campus employees who work with sensitive and confidential information.
Anyone who witnesses something suspicious or a crime, or who has information regarding any crime is encouraged to dial 911 or call the UC Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-459-2231, ext. 1.
Safety Tips
Secure your vehicle
Do not leave anything in plain view
Always remember to lock your doors and roll up windows to a safe height
Park in well-lit areas
If you leave your vehicle, bring your car keys! A thief’s window of opportunity is less than a minute
At home or on campus
Make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked, even if you are leaving for just a brief moment
Try to keep valuables out of sight from windows or away from doors
Beware of extortion schemes
Out and about
Remember that the cubbies at OPERS and at dining halls are unmonitored
Don’t leave your backpack or computer unattended
ITS Support
To report a security incident: https://its.ucsc.edu/security/report.html
More information about protecting laptops: https://its.ucsc.edu/news/laptop-data-security.html
For questions or assistance from ITS, open a support ticket, call 831-459-HELP (9-4357), or email help@ucsc.edu.
