There has been an increase in residential and automobile robberies across Oxford, according to Oxford Police. Photo: Thomas Graning, The Daily Mississippian.
Around 5 p.m. on Jan. 7, senior hospitality management major Rachel Malone decided to take a shower, leaving her laptop on a table in her living room.
Afterward, Malone walked back into the living room only to notice her laptop was gone. While she searched frantically, Malone’s roommate walked through the front door without having to unlock it. This is when they both realized someone had walked into their house and stolen the laptop.
Malone called the Oxford Police Department to file the report. Two officers arrived at her house to inspect the scene and record her story, letting her know a detective would be in touch with her shortly.
After talking to the detective, Malone learned that she was a victim of a crime of opportunity. These types of crimes are committed by people who walk around opening doors and taking what they can quickly.
The Oxford Police Department has not noted a particular area of Oxford in which crimes have occurred because residential areas are so widespread. While there has been an increase in residential robberies and crimes of opportunity, automobile robberies are the most prevalent crime in Oxford, according to James Owens, major of operations for the Oxford Police Department.
“Crime does not have one segment targeted and affects everyone in the county,” Owens said.
Oxford Police Department has partnered with national organization Crime Stoppers in order to create local crime prevention programs. Officers hand out flyers with tips and facts, such as the fact that over 80 percent of the burglaries in Oxford are a result of unsecured property. They have also isolated and focused on areas that have been robbed, or are more frequently robbed, in order to prevent the same types of crimes from happening again.
Owens said the Oxford Police Department is encouraging neighborhood watches, which he believes are preventative solutions to crime.
“Lock your doors, don’t let anyone in that you don’t know and look out for your neighbors and make good relationships with them,” Owens said.
The Oxford Police Department is encouraged by Chief of Police Joey East once a week through emails to buy into the community because it affects not only the people but the officers as well. They also reach out to the community through use of their Facebook page.
Also a victim of robbery, Owens said he wants citizens to always be aware of their surroundings, lock doors and cars and, if something doesn’t feel right, call the police because it is their job to help.
According to Malone, she always locked her doors and never thought someone would enter her house while she was home.
“Criminals are getting more creative; homeowners and renters need to realize that just because we are in Mississippi doesn’t mean you don’t need to lock your doors,” Malone said.
