The Red and Black

Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Opinions

CAROLYN CRIST

After two phone calls from my mom within 10 minutes, I knew something was wrong.

She usually doesn't call during the day when I could be in class, but when she called twice, I was worried. I almost walked out of the room when she immediately sent a text message. I couldn't stop myself from reading it in class.

"somebody broke into the house"

My mind raced through scenes she may have seen when she walked in the door - a ransacked kitchen, living room electronics missing, front and back doors open. My single mother at home, alone.

I tried to pay attention as my professor answered final questions at the end of class. Really, I did. I nearly bounced on the edge of my seat, ready to walk out of the room and call her.

"Hey, someone kicked open the front door," she said when she answered the phone. "I think the police are here. I'll call you back."

A man kicked in the door around 2:30 that afternoon, breaking the door jamb. He then ran away, probably thanks to my barking dog we leave unchained in the yard.

My mom had been at home during the time and heard the noise. She usually isn't home at that time. The police officer said he thinks the man had been watching our house, learning the regular times she leaves during the day.

My mom was nervous all day. She couldn't get a company to fix the door immediately, and she didn't want to sleep at home that night with a broken door. I called a few of my guy friends to help her patch it temporarily.

The police didn't find the guy, but they followed a suspicious car parked near our house and think the man may live down the street from us.

As the majority of us head home at the end of the semester and away from our humble abodes in Athens, I worry the same might happen to the person sitting next to you in class - or even you.

We've all heard the same, cliche precautionary advice, "If you see a suspicious person or vehicle, report it to police," but now I see how important it really is.

You know the drill: take home your valuables (especially electronics) during the break, lock your doors and windows, put your lights on timers, ask someone to pick up mail or newspapers and record serial numbers of electronics so they can be more easily returned if stolen and recovered.

Through "Operation Identification," the University Police Department makes easy-to-use engravers available to the campus community at no cost.

You can even call the Athens-Clarke County Police Department Crime Prevention Unit and ask for a "house check" on your residence while you're gone. Officers will ride by the area as their case load permits.

Most residential burglaries occur during the daytime hours, ACC police told me. Keep an eye out, and you'll be helping all of us.

- Carolyn Crist is the news editor of The Red & Black.

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