When freshman Lindy Hatch’s friends saw that she had signed off AIM around 12:30 p.m. they thought nothing of it. After leaving at 12:00 p.m., Hatch returned at 5:30 p.m. to discover that her computer was missing. It wasn’t she who signed off.
A burglary occurred Tuesday on the second floor of Dolan. She said that she and her roommate had left the window open during the day; however, she lives on the second floor of Dolan. Hatch suspects that that the burglar came through the window.
According to Public Safety there was no damage to the screen.
“I felt enraged,” said Hatch. “I always lock my doors.”
Since the beginning of the semester, an influx of burglaries have occurred in student residences, leaving students outraged and disturbed.
Eight burglaries have happened in student residences since the winter break, according to Michael Louzon, assistant director of Public Safety. The townhouses have been the target of six of them.
“We do think they’re connected,” said Louzon. “It’s too coincidental.”
The suspects’ description according to a security alert sent to students described a college-aged Caucasian male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 lbs with dark hair wearing a black fleece jacket.
Most of the burglaries have occurred in the same fashion, a window entrance that damages the window screen.
Similar to Hatch, Andrew Wadden ’05 had his laptop stolen Saturday from his townhouse.
“I feel violated,” said Wadden. “You expect things to be safe and it hurts when someone steals from you, especially someone who might be from Fairfield.”
Greg Turner ’05 who lives with Wadden had his digital camera, Playstation 2, videogames and DVD’s stolen as well.
“Our assumption every day is that nothing is going to happen on this campus,” said Turner.
According to Wadden and Turner, the unknown burglar entered through the rear window. Turner said that the doors were locked and he questioned who would ever come through the back window.
On Feb. 5, Katie Doherty ’05 and her housemates stepped out of the house for twenty minutes at 11:00 p.m. They returned to a cold house, an open window and their DVDs missing. Doherty’s reaction was similar to Wadden’s.
“I feel violated that someone was in our house,” said Doherty, a townhouse manager. “We were gone for 20 minutes and I feel as though our robber watched us leave.”
Katie Quell ’05, Doherty’s housemate, said that she would like to see the townhouses updated with new doors and windows with better locks.
“We have had enough problems with our doors swinging open,” said Quell. “I’m surprised we haven’t gotten robbed before.”
Mark Reed, dean of students, said that burglaries have not been an issue at Fairfield in the past.
“The majority of those that do occur,” said Reed, “are ‘robberies of opportunity’ – in other words, simple and reasonable things like locking doors when not around or not leaving personal items unattended would prevent such things from occurring.”
The recent influx of burglaries at student residences has students concerned about safety.
Sarah Bachman ’05 feels she has to take extra precautions to ensure safety.
“It’s disturbing that all these burglaries are going on,” she said. “I feel like I have to make sure the doors are locked so nothing’s stolen.”
If a burglar is caught in the act, the matter is investigated by Public Safety with the support of Residence Life and Housing and referred to the dean of students’ office for disciplinary review, according to Reed.
Reed said that there is a possibility that the Fairfield police would be contacted; however, this may depend on the robbery victim’s wish to do so.
Louzon said that all burglaries with damages of $1000 are referred to the Fairfield police.
Students whose parents have home owners insurance may be able to be reimbursed for some of the losses.
On Feb. 2, a campus announcement security alert was sent via e-mail to the entire campus stating that three burglaries occurred during the previous week and describing a suspect.
Red fliers were hung inside the university buildings telling students to lock their doors and windows.
Louzon said the best ways to prevent burglaries is to lock windows, doors and if need be, use a dowel to secure the windows shut.
Contact Public Safety with information regarding the burglaries at x4090.
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