West Virginia University Police issued a Community Notice Tuesday (Feb. 25) following several reported incidents of unauthorized people entering on- and off-campus residential spaces through unlocked doors.
“Security starts at home,” UPD Chief Sherry St. Clair said. “We want our University community — especially our students — to be vigilant about protecting themselves and their property, and the first step is securing all doors.”
On Feb. 21, a student at Braxton Tower reported a theft which happened when the student left his room unlocked while he went to take a shower. UPD officers have not yet identified a suspect or suspects.
On Feb. 23, a separate, unrelated theft was reported in an unlocked room at Dadisman Hall. No one has yet been charged.
As part of that theft investigation, officers were able to identify three people who were not WVU students but had been signed into the building as visitors. The three were issued trespassing notices.
“As the investigations continue, I’ve assigned our Campus Safety Officers to work with WVU Housing resident assistants to talk directly with our students living in residence halls about the importance of locking up and following all guest and visitation policies,” Chief St. Clair said.
A third unrelated incident was reported Feb. 23 at an off-campus location on North Spruce Street near the Downtown area of campus where a person mistakenly entered an occupied home through an unlocked door.
“We know that person would not have gone into that home if the main door had been locked. Thankfully, no one was hurt,” Chief St. Clair said. “With this Community Notice, we are reminding all members of our University community to do their part to help us keep them safe.”
Suspicious activity should be reported to UPD by phone at 304-293-3136 or 304-293-COPS (2677), or by using the LiveSafe app, which provides direct, two-way communication with UPD through text, photo, video and audio messaging.
The following safety tips are designed to help avoid potential crime.
• Always lock exterior doors. This includes your residence hall, apartment, house and car doors even if you will be away for a short time period.
• Make sure to lock windows, other doors and vehicles while you are away or not actively monitoring them.
• Develop a routine to inspect locks on your doors, windows and other applicable areas to ensure they are working effectively and are locked, especially at night.
• At residence halls, do not sign in visitors you do not know.
• Do not leave spare keys in places accessible to others.
• If you lose your key or ID, report it immediately so locks can be changed and ID access suspended until a new ID has been issued.
• Anyone who believes they are in danger should immediately call 911.
• If you witness a potentially dangerous situation or a crime, call 911 or WVUPD.
• Download the WVU LiveSafe app.
• If you encounter an emergency situation on campus, utilize the blue light emergency call system, if available.
Additional Resources:
• WVU Police Department — 911, 304-293-2677, 304-293-3136
• WVU CARE Team
• WVU Carruth Center — 304-293-4431
• WVU Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance — 304-293-5600
• WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities — 304-293-8111
• WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program — 304-293-5590
• Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center — 304-292-5100
• WVU Office of Campus and Community Life — 304-293-5611
• WVU Student Health — 304-285-7200
• WVU Division of Student Life — 304-293-5811
Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and police.wvu.edu.
Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page as well as @WVUsafety on X, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.
A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.